Some
time ago, a very sad event happened. It took place in a certain large church
that was sound in doctrine. The pastor had a special event scheduled for the
people on Sunday night, which he felt was important for their spiritual growth.
He stood in the pulpit and told the congregation, he wanted them to be there
that Sunday night for the service. He then quoted the following verse from God’s
Word: Heb 13:17-OBEY THEM THAT HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU, AND SUBMIT
YOURSELVES: FOR THEY WATCH FOR YOUR SOULS, AS THEY THAT MUST GIVE ACCOUNT, THAT
THEY MAY DO IT WITH JOY, AND NOT WITH GRIEF: FOR THAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR YOU.
When he had finished quoting the verse, much laughing could
be heard throughout the congregation. Very few took him seriously. They
did not understand God’s authority, the authority of God’s Word, or the authority
that God had given to their pastor, who himself was under authority to watch
for their souls.

2-A
SOCIETY AND WORLD IN REBELLION AGAINST AUTHORITY

From
childhood, children sometimes disobey their parents. They may lie to them and
not recognize their authority over them. Some children have even tried to divorce
their parents. At school, children often disobey their teachers. The generation
in which we live often disregards authority.
When children grow up and become adults, they disobey traffic
lights and signs. People, by nature are rebellious against authority. Some people
speak evil of policemen and government officials, even those that are in authority
over them. Wives seldom recognize the authority God has given to their husband,
and husbands seldom understand the responsibility that goes along with the authority
that God has given them. Born-again ministers of God are accused, joked about,
and mocked openly by comedians and others. Few people fear God and tremble at
His Word in this lukewarm generation-ref Ps 89:7 and Isa 66:5.
It is a stubborn and rebellious generation that often will
not regard any authority that hinders what their evil imagination wants to do.
They do not want to come under any person’s authority so they question it, try
to find fault with it, accuse it, ridicule it, and even make excuses to justify
themselves in their own eyes so they don't have to yield to those in authority
over them.
When a person is in the military, some learn quickly about
authority. The general is over the colonel. The colonel is over the major. The
major is over the captain and so on down the line. There is an established chain
of command. Without it, there would be chaos. Rebellion against authority in
the military can get a person court-martialed and thrown into prison.
Rebellion and stubbornness against God can bring eternity
in the lake of fire. It is written 1 Sam 15:23-FOR REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF
WITCHCRAFT, AND STUBBORNNESS IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY. Indeed, most people
(ref Mt 7) will not allow Jesus Christ (the Word) to reign over them, as it
is written, Luke 19:27-BUT THOSE MINE ENEMIES, WHICH WOULD NOT THAT I SHOULD
REIGN OVER THEM, BRING HITHER, AND SLAY THEM BEFORE ME.
Some rebellious and stubborn people try to go around God’s
authority. They try to sidestep God reigning over them by turning to another
authority as the people did in 1 Sam 8:7-AND THE LORD SAID UNTO SAMUEL, HEARKEN
UNTO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IN ALL THAT THEY SAY UNTO THEE: FOR THEY HAVE NOT
REJECTED THEE, BUT THEY HAVE REJECTED ME, THAT I SHOULD
NOT REIGN OVER THEM.
This is what many people do regarding churches. God may send
them to a good Bible-teaching church, but as they are confronted with their
sin and the resulting judgment through God’s Word, they decide to go to a more
lukewarm, fun type of church. They want to believe they can go to heaven without
truly repenting and yielding to God’s Word.

3-THESE
SPEAK EVIL OF THINGS THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND

Most
people speak evil about television or radio preachers, their own preacher, governments,
others in authority, and things they don't understand. God warns about this.
It is written 2 Pe 2:9-12-THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS,
AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED: BUT CHIEFLY
THEM THAT WALK AFTER THE FLESH IN THE LUST OF UNCLEANNESS, AND DESPISE
GOVERNMENT. PRESUMPTUOUS ARE THEY, SELFWILLED, THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK
EVIL OF DIGNITIES (or authorities). WHEREAS ANGELS, WHICH ARE GREATER IN
POWER AND MIGHT, BRING NOT RAILING ACCUSATION AGAINST THEM BEFORE THE LORD.
BUT THESE, AS NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, MADE TO BE TAKEN AND DESTROYED, SPEAK
EVILOF THE THINGS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND NOT; AND SHALL UTTERLY
PERISH IN THEIR OWN CORRUPTION.

4-GOD’S
KINGDOM OPERATES UNDER AUTHORITY:

THERE IS AN ESTABLISHED ORDER OF AUTHORITY BY WHICH GOD’S CHURCH
IS TO OPERATE

The
following is the order of authority God has ordained.
The Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
The twelve apostles come next. Other apostles are mentioned
in the Bible as well.
After the apostles, prophets come next, then teachers (or
ministers), and others. (The term "elders" applies to apostles, ministers,
and those ordained to this position in the church.)
Then comes the rest of the body of Christ, the rest of the
born-again saints.
From apostles to saints, all are called, chosen, and ordained
by God, who obey Him and stand firm in the faith.

God
the Father is listed first. It is God the Father that ordained Jesus. It is
written Acts 17:31-BECAUSE HE (God the Father) HATH APPOINTED A DAY, IN THE
WHICH HE (God the Father) WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THAT MAN
(Christ Jesus) WHOM HE (God the Father) HATH ORDAINED;
WHEREOF HE (God the Father) HATH GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, IN THAT HE (God
the Father) HATH RAISED HIM (God the Son) FROM THE DEAD.
1 Tim 2:5-7-FOR THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN
GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.
Again, God the Father ordained Jesus. It is written Acts
10:42-AND HE (Jesus) COMMANDED US TO PREACH UNTO THE PEOPLE, AND TO TESTIFY
THAT IT IS HE (Jesus) WHICH WAS ORDAINED OF GOD (the Father) TO
BE THE JUDGE OF QUICK AND DEAD.

1
Cor 11:3-BUT I WOULD HAVE YOU KNOW,…THAT THE HEAD OF CHRIST IS GOD.
God the Father is all in all. It is written in Mt 28:19-…THE
FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST. God the Father is listed first.
Jesus, Who is also God is named second. The Holy Spirit Who is also God is listed
third.
1 Cor 15:24,28-THEN COMETH THE END, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED
UP THE KINGDOM TO GOD, EVEN THE FATHER; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE
AND ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER. AND WHEN ALL THINGS SHALL BE SUBDUED
UNTO HIM, THEN SHALL THE SON ALSO HIMSELF BE SUBJECT UNTO HIM THAT PUT ALL THINGS
UNDER HIM, THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.

Jesus
in turn ordained the apostles. It is written Mk 3:14-AND HE (Jesus) ORDAINED
TWELVE, THAT THEY SHOULD BE WITH HIM, AND THAT HE MIGHT SEND THEM FORTH TO PREACH,
Apostles of God are ordained not by men, but by God. It is
written Gal 1:1-PAUL, AN APOSTLE, (NOT OF MEN, NEITHER BY MAN, BUT BY JESUS
CHRIST, AND GOD THE FATHER, WHO RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD;)

Jesus
also calls and ordains preachers. 1 Tim 2:7-WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED
A PREACHER, AND AN APOSTLE, (I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, AND LIE NOT;)
A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND VERITY. Who called Paul? Who ordained
Paul? Jesus did on the road to Damascus-ref Acts 9:5.

The
apostles in turn ordained the elders. It is written Acts 14:23-AND WHEN THEY
(the apostles) HAD ORDAINED THEM ELDERS IN EVERY CHURCH, AND HAD
PRAYED WITH FASTING, THEY COMMENDED THEM TO THE LORD, ON WHOM THEY BELIEVED.

Christ
is the head of the church. Then there is an order of authority to be followed.
Eph 5:23-…CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY.
1 Cor 12:18-27-BUT IN FACT GOD HAS ARRANGED THE PARTS IN
THE BODY, EVERY ONE OF THEM, JUST AS HE WANTED THEM TO BE. IF THEY WERE ALL
ONE PART, WHERE WOULD THE BODY BE? AS IT IS, THERE ARE MANY PARTS, BUT ONE BODY.
THE EYE CANNOT SAY TO THE HAND, "I DON'T NEED YOU!" AND THE HEAD CANNOT
SAY TO THE FEET, "I DON'T NEED YOU!" ON THE CONTRARY, THOSE PARTS
OF THE BODY THAT SEEM TO BE WEAKER ARE INDISPENSABLE, AND THE PARTS THAT WE
THINK ARE LESS HONORABLE WE TREAT WITH SPECIAL HONOR. AND THE PARTS THAT ARE
UNPRESENTABLE ARE TREATED WITH SPECIAL MODESTY, WHILE OUR PRESENTABLE PARTS
NEED NO SPECIAL TREATMENT. BUT GOD HAS COMBINED THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY AND
HAS GIVEN GREATER HONOR TO THE PARTS THAT LACKED IT, SO THAT THERE SHOULD BE
NO DIVISION IN THE BODY, BUT THAT ITS PARTS SHOULD HAVE EQUAL CONCERN FOR EACH
OTHER. IF ONE PART SUFFERS, EVERY PART SUFFERS WITH IT; IF ONE PART IS HONORED,
EVERY PART REJOICES WITH IT. NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND EACH ONE OF
YOU IS A PART OF IT-NIV.
1 Cor 12:28-AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST
APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT
MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALINGS, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES.
Eph 4:11-AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS;
AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS;

Jesus
also calls and ordains the born-again saints. It is written Jn 15:14-16-YE ARE
MY FRIENDS (referring to those that are called to salvation), IF YE DO WHATSOEVER
I COMMAND YOU. HENCEFORTH I CALL YOU NOT SERVANTS; FOR THE SERVANT KNOWETH NOT
WHAT HIS LORD DOETH: BUT I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS; FOR ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE
HEARD OF MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN UNTO YOU. YE (the saints) HAVE NOT CHOSEN
ME (Christ Jesus), BUT I (Christ Jesus) HAVE CHOSEN YOU (the saints), AND ORDAINED
YOU (the saints), THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT
SHOULD REMAIN.
Col 2:10-THE HEAD OF EVERY MAN IS CHRIST.

Then
there are the saints in the church. They are under the authority of their minister
and the elders. To the saints it is written, Heb 13:17-OBEY THEM
THAT HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU, AND SUBMIT YOURSELVES: FOR THEY WATCH FOR YOUR
SOULS, AS THEY THAT MUST GIVE ACCOUNT, THAT THEY MAY DO IT WITH JOY, AND NOT
WITH GRIEF: FOR THAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR YOU.

In
the unsaved world, people may say man, or the Pope, or some other authority
ordains preachers or priests. However, it is truly God Himself that ordains
apostles and ministers. All other ministers and elders are ordained by Satan;
as it is written 2 Cor 11:13-15-FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL
WORKERS, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. AND
NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. THEREFORE
IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE
MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; WHOSE END SHALL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.

5-THE
SAINT’S STRUGGLE IS AGAINST THE RULERS,
AUTHORITIES, AND POWERS OF THE DARK WORLD

Those
mixed-up, accusing, rebellious, and stubborn thoughts people have towards authority
are not from God. Those up-tight knots a person gets in their stomach when doing
God’s will are not from God. Those angry and argumentative thoughts a person
gets when they are corrected are not from God. These are from the dark world
which we do not see, but certainly can feel and hear. It is amazing how a person
can know these things, yet when they are encountered with wrong thoughts, they
believe that they are correct thoughts as their corrupt heart agrees with them.
Eph 6:11-12,16-PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
AGAINST THE WILES (or schemes) OF THE DEVIL. FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle) NOT
AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT (AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST
THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD-NIV), AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS (or forces)
IN HIGH PLACES (or heavenly realms). ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH,
WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS (or flaming
arrows) OF THE WICKED (or evil one). Those flaming arrows are those wrong
thoughts and uptight feelings a person gets in their stomach, especially when
seeking to obey God’s Word and do what is right in God’s eyes.

6-GOD
COMMANDS, BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS (OR AUTHORITIES)

The
saint is to obey authority. He is to obey the laws of the land. He is to obey
traffic laws. It is written, Ro 13:1-7-LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE
HIGHER POWERS(or it may be said authority). FOR THERE IS NO POWER
(or authority) BUT OF GOD: THE POWERS (or authorities)
THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD. WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH THE POWER (or
authorities), RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF GOD: AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE
TO THEMSELVES DAMNATION. FOR RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, BUT TO THE
EVIL. WILT THOU THEN NOT BE AFRAID OF THE POWER (or authority)?
DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD, AND THOU SHALT HAVE PRAISE OF THE SAME: FOR HE IS THE
MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD. BUT IF THOU DO THAT WHICH IS EVIL, BE AFRAID;
FOR HE BEARETH NOT THE SWORD IN VAIN: FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD, A REVENGER
TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOETH EVIL. WHEREFORE YE MUST NEEDS BE SUBJECT,
NOT ONLY FOR WRATH, BUT ALSO FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE. FOR FOR THIS CAUSE PAY YE
TRIBUTE ALSO: FOR THEY ARE GOD'S MINISTERS, ATTENDING CONTINUALLY UPON THIS
VERY THING. RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES: TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE;
CUSTOM TO WHOM CUSTOM; FEAR TO WHOM FEAR; HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR. (Note, the
word power can sometimes also be synonymous with authority, thus it has been
added in these verses.)

The
Centurion was a man under authority. He understood taking and giving orders.
He understood the responsibility and obligations that go with authority. He
understood the authority that Jesus had over diseases. He understood Who Jesus
was. He understood humbleness and how unworthy he was. Jesus said of this person
that understood authority, I HAVE NOT FOUND SO GREAT FAITH, NO, NOT IN ISRAEL.
Understanding authority is directly related to faith.
It is written Mt 8:5-10,13-AND WHEN JESUS WAS ENTERED INTO
CAPERNAUM, THERE CAME UNTO HIM A CENTURION, BESEECHING HIM, AND SAYING, LORD,
MY SERVANT LIETH AT HOME SICK OF THE PALSY, GRIEVOUSLY TORMENTED. AND JESUS
SAITH UNTO HIM, I WILL COME AND HEAL HIM. THE CENTURION ANSWERED AND SAID, LORD,
I AM NOT WORTHY THAT THOU SHOULDEST COME UNDER MY ROOF: BUT SPEAK THE WORD ONLY,
AND MY SERVANT SHALL BE HEALED. FOR I AM A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY, HAVING SOLDIERS
UNDER ME: AND I SAY TO THIS MAN, GO, AND HE GOETH; AND TO ANOTHER, COME, AND
HE COMETH; AND TO MY SERVANT, DO THIS, AND HE DOETH IT. WHEN JESUS HEARD IT,
HE MARVELLED, AND SAID TO THEM THAT FOLLOWED, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, I HAVE
NOT FOUND SO GREAT FAITH, NO, NOT IN ISRAEL. AND JESUS SAID UNTO THE CENTURION,
GO THY WAY; AND AS THOU HAST BELIEVED, SO BE IT DONE UNTO THEE. AND HIS SERVANT
WAS HEALED IN THE SELFSAME HOUR.

8-THE
AUTHORITY OF JESUS IS QUESTIONED, CHALLENGED, DISCREDITED,
AND NOT BELIEVEDBY
UNBELIEVERS AND SO-CALLED CARNAL CHRISTIANS
(If people will question and not believe the authority Jesus or John the Baptist
had,
how much more will they not believe the authority God has given to His servants)

In
many verses, the Pharisees, elders, Herodians, Sadducees, scribes, and lawyers
did not want to submit to the authority of God. They challenged the authority
of Jesus, hoping to find some way to accuse and discredit Him. It is written,
Mt 21:23-AND WHEN HE WAS COME INTO THE TEMPLE, THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE ELDERS
OF THE PEOPLE CAME UNTO HIM AS HE WAS TEACHING, AND SAID, BY WHAT AUTHORITY
DOEST THOU THESE THINGS? AND WHO GAVE THEE THIS AUTHORITY?
In addition, the authority of Moses was challenged. God’s
Word was challenged. The apostles were challenged. Born-again Christians, from
ministers to lay people, sometimes find themselves being questioned, accused,
discredited, or challenged in some way. Following are more examples from God’s
Word regarding these matters. As a person studies these, one can only imagine
how the people around them responded. Those with evil hearts undoubtedly agreed
with the lying accusations that were spoken by the Pharisees and others against
Jesus, Moses, and others. Those with pure hearts undoubtedly disagreed with
the false accusations.

Mt
12:24-(regarding Jesus) BUT WHEN THE PHARISEES HEARD IT, THEY SAID, THIS
FELLOW DOTH NOT CAST OUT DEVILS, BUT BY BEELZEBUB THE PRINCE OF THE DEVILS.
The Pharisees were trying to discredit the authority of Jesus in the eyes of
the people. They lied and in doing so they also committed the unforgivable sin
by what they said.
Mt 13:54,55,58 (regarding Jesus) AND WHEN HE (Jesus) WAS
COME INTO HIS OWN COUNTRY, HE TAUGHT THEM IN THEIR SYNAGOGUE, INSOMUCH THAT
THEY WERE ASTONISHED, AND SAID, WHENCE HATH THIS MAN THIS WISDOM,
AND THESE MIGHTY WORKS? IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTER'S
SON? IS NOT HIS MOTHER CALLED MARY? AND HIS BRETHREN, Ja, AND JOSES, AND SIMON,
AND JUDAS? AND HE DID NOT MANY MIGHTY WORKS THERE BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF.
Mk 6:6-AND HE MARVELLED BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. Again, we note that Satan
put wrong thoughts in their heart and their evil heart chose to believe the
thoughts rather than the truth. People in this generation greatly underestimate
the power of Satan to deceive. Some of the finest ministers of God from the
past never attended a Bible school. There were almost none to attend. They simply
studied God’s Word in humbleness, and God gave them great understanding and
exalted them. In this generation of many Bible schools but little understanding,
it is no longer enough to be anointed by God. Today people want to see a degree
or signs and miracles. Without these, one may be discredited. The people said
of Jesus WHENCE HATH THIS MAN THIS WISDOM.

Mk
2:6,7-(regarding Jesus) BUT THERE WERE CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES SITTING THERE,
AND REASONING IN THEIR HEARTS, WHY DOTH THIS MAN THUS SPEAK BLASPHEMIES?
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ONLY?
Mk 3:21 (regarding Jesus) WHEN HIS FAMILY HEARD ABOUT
THIS, THEY WENT TO TAKE CHARGE OF HIM, FOR THEY SAID, "HE IS OUT
OF HIS MIND" (or beside himself-KJV) (or we might say crazy). Note
the words—His family went to do this. It is common when a person commits
their life to Jesus that his relatives and friends think he is crazy. It is
common for a new believer to hear the words, "Now don’t go overboard with
this religion thing."

Lk
4:18-(regarding Jesus) He came to Nazareth and spoke in the synagogue. Note
the first few words He spoke—THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HATH
ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL…They did not believe what He said and were
filled with wrath. They tried to kill him. They did not believe the authority
He had.
Lk 6:1,2-(regarding Jesus) AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE SECOND
SABBATH AFTER THE FIRST, THAT HE WENT THROUGH THE CORN FIELDS; AND HIS DISCIPLES
PLUCKED THE EARS OF CORN, AND DID EAT, RUBBING THEM IN THEIR HANDS. AND CERTAIN
OF THE PHARISEES SAID UNTO THEM, WHY DO YE THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL TO
DO ON THE SABBATH DAYS? The Pharisees made lying accusations against
the disciples trying to discredit Him. The authority of Jesus and what he did
was being challenged.
Lk 6:6,7-(regarding Jesus) AND THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES
WATCHED HIM, WHETHER HE WOULD HEAL ON THE SABBATH DAY; THAT THEY MIGHT
FIND AN ACCUSATION AGAINST HIM. THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THEM, I WILL ASK
YOU ONE THING; IS IT LAWFUL ON THE SABBATH DAYS TO DO GOOD, OR TO DO EVIL? TO
SAVE LIFE, OR TO DESTROY IT?…HE SAID UNTO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THY HAND. AND
HE DID SO: AND HIS HAND WAS RESTORED WHOLE AS THE OTHER. AND THEY WERE FILLED
WITH MADNESS; AND COMMUNED ONE WITH ANOTHER WHAT THEY MIGHT DO TO JESUS.
Unbelievers sometimes seek to accuse men of God and discredit the authority
of God on them.
Lk 7:33,34-(regarding Jesus and John the Baptist) JOHN THE
BAPTIST CAME NEITHER EATING BREAD NOR DRINKING WINE; AND YE SAY, HE HATH A DEVIL.
THE SON OF MAN IS COME EATING AND DRINKING; AND YE SAY, BEHOLD A GLUTTONOUS
MAN, AND A WINEBIBBER, A FRIEND OF PUBLICANS AND SINNERS! It seems no matter
what a man of God does, some will find a way to accuse and discredit both him
and the authority God has given him.
Lk 7:39-(regarding Jesus) NOW WHEN THE PHARISEE WHICH HAD
BIDDEN HIM SAW IT, HE SPAKE WITHIN HIMSELF, SAYING, THIS MAN, IF HE WERE
A PROPHET, WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHO AND WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN
THIS IS THAT TOUCHETH HIM: FOR SHE IS A SINNER. Again, it is noted how the Pharisee
was looking for some way to discredit the authority of Jesus. It appears he
had convinced himself with Satan's help that Jesus could not be a prophet.
If Satan did not exist, he would not have even had this wrong thought.
(Satan fills our mind with thoughts to discredit and justify
why we should not believe the authority God has given a person—especially one
He has placed over us.) An example of the thinking an unsaved or carnal Christian
can have when corrected by someone God ha put over them is—that they will often
think, "He doesn’t understand my situation." Thus, he renders the
counsel that God gave him through that person of no effect. Even before the
person speaks one word of correction, he may have put up a wall against it.
Many people do this same thing with God’s Word. They put up a wall against correction
from the Bible as they don't want to yield to God and change their attitude
and lifestyle in certain areas. Lying voices in your thoughts, emotions, and
flesh can cause you to disregard the authority of those God has placed over
you in the Lord.
Lk 11:53-54-(regarding Jesus) AND AS HE SAID THESE THINGS
UNTO THEM, THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES BEGAN TO URGE HIM VEHEMENTLY, AND TO
PROVOKE HIM TO SPEAK OF MANY THINGS: LAYING WAIT FOR HIM, AND SEEKING
TO CATCH SOMETHING OUT OF HIS MOUTH, THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM. They
wanted to discredit Jesus and undermine His authority. It is much the same today
in many churches. People look to accuse and undermine the authority of their
God-fearing preacher.
Lk 13:14-(regarding Jesus) AND THE RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE
ANSWERED WITH INDIGNATION, BECAUSE THAT JESUS HAD HEALED ON THE
SABBATH DAY, AND SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, THERE ARE SIX DAYS IN WHICH MEN
OUGHT TO WORK: IN THEM THEREFORE COME AND BE HEALED, AND NOT ON THE SABBATH
DAY. The synagogue ruler tried to discredit Jesus and undermine His
authority before the people.
Lk 15:2-(regarding Jesus) AND THE PHARISEES AND SCRIBES MURMURED,
SAYING, THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS, AND EATETH WITH THEM. One
can see how the accusations of the Pharisees and scribes might be agreed with
by those with an accusing, wicked, or impure heart themselves.
Lk 16:14-(regarding Jesus) AND THE PHARISEES ALSO, WHO WERE
COVETOUS, HEARD ALL THESE THINGS: AND THEY DERIDED (or were sneering at)
HIM. They did not like what He spoke, so they were trying to discredit
Him among the people.
Lk 19:38-40-(The people were) SAYING, BLESSED BE THE KING
THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: PEACE IN HEAVEN, AND GLORY IN THE HIGHEST.
AND SOME OF THE PHARISEES FROM AMONG THE MULTITUDE SAID UNTO HIM, MASTER, REBUKE
THY DISCIPLES. AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, I TELL YOU THAT,
IF THESE SHOULD HOLD THEIR PEACE, THE STONES WOULD IMMEDIATELY CRY OUT. Jesus
was being glorified. God’s Word was being fulfilled, but the unrighteous were
trying to discredit Jesus and those that followed Him.
Lk 20:20-(regarding Jesus) KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON HIM,
THEY SENT SPIES, WHO PRETENDED TO BE HONEST. THEY HOPED
TO CATCH JESUS IN SOMETHING HE SAID SO THAT THEY MIGHT HAND HIM OVER TO THE
POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR (NIV). Once again, we note the unrighteous
were seeking to accuse and discredit Jesus in some way. They wanted Him stopped.
They would not submit to His authority.
Lk 22:48-(regarding Jesus) BUT JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, JUDAS,
BETRAYEST THOU THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS? Even though Judas had worked with
Jesus, he still did not understand who Jesus really was and the authority He
had. If he did, he would never have betrayed Him. It is much the same in many
churches. Congregations sometimes become highly irritated with preachers that
preach on sin, repentance, judgment, hell, the Rapture and the coming Tribulation.
They betray the minister and try to cause problems and sometimes do cause the
church to split. They form their own church that teaches what their own wicked
itching ears want to hear rather than truth.
Lk 23:2-(regarding Jesus) AND THEY BEGAN TO ACCUSE HIM, SAYING,
WE FOUND THIS FELLOW PERVERTING THE NATION, AND FORBIDDING TO GIVE TRIBUTE TO
CAESAR, SAYING THAT HE HIMSELF IS CHRIST A KING. The wicked lied, perverted
the truth, and then made an accusation out of it in order to condemn Him.

Jn
7:15-(regarding Jesus) AND THE JEWS MARVELLED, SAYING, HOW KNOWETH THIS
MAN LETTERS, HAVING NEVER LEARNED? In this generation it may be said,
how can this preacher or Bible teacher know these things, seeing he never attended
a Bible school? He doesn’t have a diploma. The bottom line is that as they tried
to discredit Jesus and His authority, so people do the same today to their pastors
or Bible teachers that say things they don't want to hear. This occurs especially
against those preachers that teach on sin, repentance, judgment, hell, and the
soon coming Rapture and Tribulation. It is amazing how the Bible shows there
will indeed be a one-world type of government. There already is a world health
organization, world bank, and many other world organizations, yet people still
refuse to believe. It is just as was written, as the days of Noah were, so it
is becoming today. People do not want to believe what is about to happen. Neither
did they believe the flood would come and kill them. Their unbelief changed
nothing. It happened, and they perished.
Jn 8:53,54-(regarding Jesus) (The Jews said) ART THOU (Jesus)
GREATER THAN OUR FATHER ABRAHAM, WHICH IS DEAD? AND THE PROPHETS ARE DEAD: WHOM
MAKEST THOU THYSELF? JESUS ANSWERED, IF I HONOUR MYSELF, MY HONOUR IS
NOTHING: IT IS MY FATHER THAT HONOURETH ME; OF WHOM YE SAY, THAT HE IS
YOUR GOD. (People say they are saved—they may say HE IS (their) GOD,
yet they do not recognize the authority of God in His servants—isn’t the answer
obvious why this is so?)

Lk
22:67-(regarding Jesus) The elders, chief priests, and scribes asked Jesus,
ART THOU THE CHRIST? TELL US. AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, IF I TELL YOU, YE
WILL NOT BELIEVE.
This may summarize much of what has been said. The accusers
and those that seek to discredit God’s authority on His servants will not believe,
even if they would raise someone from the dead-ref Lk 16:30,31 and Lk 11:46-48.

9-THE
AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTLES IS QUESTIONED

In
the same way that they challenged the authority of Jesus, the religious leaders
also challenged the authority of the apostles. It is written, Acts 4:7-(regarding
the apostles) AND WHEN THEY HAD SET THEM IN THE MIDST, THEY ASKED, BY WHAT
POWER, OR BY WHAT NAME, HAVE YE DONE THIS? They then
went on to threaten them. Often the authority of ministers, elders, and lay
people that follow Jesus are challenged. Satan has devised many schemes to discredit
God’s ministers in the eyes of some people. Of some they may say, "He's
lacking a Theology degree," or of another they may say, "He speaks
so much Scripture that he cannot relate to the people." The number of excuses
people have for undermining God’s authority on a minister could fill a book.
Acts 5:28-(regarding the apostles) (The high priest said)
DID NOT WE STRAITLY COMMAND YOU THAT YE SHOULD NOT TEACH IN THIS NAME? AND,
BEHOLD, YE HAVE FILLED JERUSALEM WITH YOUR DOCTRINE, AND INTEND
TO BRING THIS MAN'S BLOOD UPON US. The religious leaders could not understand
the authority of God on the apostles. They did not understand it was not the
apostle's doctrine, but rather it was God speaking through them. Peter and the
apostles told them, WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN-Acts 5:29. The religious
leaders were cut to the heart and threatened them, beat them, and wanted to
kill them.
Even of Paul, it is written Acts 26:24-25-(regarding Paul)
AND AS HE THUS SPAKE FOR HIMSELF, FESTUS SAID WITH A LOUD VOICE, PAUL, THOU
ART BESIDE THYSELF; MUCH LEARNING DOTH MAKE THEE MAD. BUT HE SAID, I AM NOT
MAD, MOST NOBLE FESTUS; BUT SPEAK FORTH THE WORDS OF TRUTH AND SOBERNESS. The
bottom line is that these faultfinding people do not want God to reign over
them. They do not want to repent and submit to God in some particular way. There
may be something God wants them to do, or they may be doing something they know
is wrong, and they do not want to repent. Thus, they challenge the authority
of those God has put over them.
Acts 17:5-7-(regarding Paul and Silas) BUT THE JEWS WERE
JEALOUS; SO THEY ROUNDED UP SOME BAD CHARACTERS FROM THE MARKETPLACE, FORMED
A MOB AND STARTED A RIOT IN THE CITY. THEY RUSHED TO JASON'S HOUSE IN SEARCH
OF PAUL AND SILAS IN ORDER TO BRING THEM OUT TO THE CROWD. BUT WHEN THEY DID
NOT FIND THEM, THEY DRAGGED JASON AND SOME OTHER BROTHERS BEFORE THE CITY OFFICIALS,
SHOUTING: "THESE MEN WHO HAVE CAUSED TROUBLE ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE NOW
COME HERE, AND JASON HAS WELCOMED THEM INTO HIS HOUSE. THEY ARE ALL DEFYING
CAESAR'S DECREES, SAYING THAT THERE IS ANOTHER KING, ONE CALLED JESUS."
The Jews were trying to discredit the Word that was being preached, saying it
was against the law to say or do these things. Ungodly people do the same today.
Acts 18:12,13-(regarding Paul) THE JEWS MADE INSURRECTION…AGAINST
PAUL, AND BROUGHT HIM TO THE JUDGMENT SEAT, SAYING, THIS FELLOW PERSUADETH MEN
TO WORSHIP GOD CONTRARY TO THE LAW. It is very common that when preachers of
God teach as God directs them (that is, they teach on such things as sin, repentance,
judgment, hell, the Rapture and soon coming Tribulation) that people get riled
up and speak against them. Other preachers and even denominational leaders may
accuse the preacher of being a doomsday preacher and not preaching love and
pleasant things. Jesus may be called a dooms day preacher. He prophesied the
destruction of Jerusalem. It came to pass. Jeremiah and others prophesied the
destruction of Jerusalem. It came to pass. People of this generation do not
like to hear the truth if it is bad. They try to discredit the preacher and
the authority God has given him.
Acts 19:8,9-(regarding Paul) AND HE (Paul) WENT INTO THE
SYNAGOGUE, AND SPAKE BOLDLY FOR THE SPACE OF THREE MONTHS, DISPUTING AND PERSUADING
(or arguing persuasively about) THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. BUT
WHEN DIVERS (or some of them) WERE HARDENED (or became obstinate), AND BELIEVED
NOT, BUT SPAKE EVIL OF (or maligned) THAT WAY BEFORE THE MULTITUDE, HE DEPARTED
FROM THEM, AND (took) THE DISCIPLES (with him). The authority and words of Paul
were not believed by some. As a result, it may be said, a church split occurred.
The faithful disciples of Jesus stayed with Paul. The wicked accusers that tried
to discredit Paul did not go with him. It is much the same today, if a minister
teaches as God would have him teach. Regretfully, there are very few that do
any more. Before the Rapture comes, expect preaching to become even more diluted,
which is what the people want.

10-THE
AUTHORITY OF MOSES WAS CHALLENGED AND NOT BELIEVED

The
authority of Moses was challenged. It is written, Acts 7:27-(regarding Moses)
BUT HE THAT DID HIS NEIGHBOUR WRONG THRUST HIM AWAY, SAYING, WHO MADE
THEE A RULER AND A JUDGE OVER US?
Moses’ authority was also challenged by his own family. It
is written, Num 12:1-2-(regarding Moses) AND MIRIAM AND AARON SPAKE AGAINST
MOSES BECAUSE OF THE ETHIOPIAN WOMAN WHOM HE HAD MARRIED: FOR HE HAD
MARRIED AN ETHIOPIAN WOMAN. AND THEY SAID, HATH THE LORD INDEED SPOKEN ONLY
BY MOSES? HATH HE NOT SPOKEN ALSO BY US? AND THE LORD HEARD IT.
Num 16:3-(regarding Moses and Aaron) AND THEY GATHERED THEMSELVES
TOGETHER AGAINST MOSES AND AGAINST AARON, AND SAID UNTO THEM, YE TAKE TOO MUCH
UPON YOU, SEEING ALL THE CONGREGATION ARE HOLY, EVERY ONE OF THEM, AND THE LORD
IS AMONG THEM: WHEREFORE THEN LIFT YE UP YOURSELVES ABOVE THE CONGREGATION
OF THE LORD? Here we see the authority of Moses and Aaron being challenged
by those with evil hearts. They were jealous. They envied Moses. They didn’t
understand that it was God that exalted Moses. They accused him of exalting
himself, even though he was very meek above all men-ref verse 3. In like manner,
many of God’s servants are also challenged and accused.
Num 16:41-(regarding Moses and Aaron) BUT ON THE MORROW ALL
THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL MURMURED AGAINST MOSES AND AGAINST
AARON, SAYING, YE HAVE KILLED THE PEOPLE OF THE LORD. It is very
common in many places of the world that when something happens the people with
accusing hearts accuse those anointed by God and try to discredit their work
and authority.

11-THE
AUTHORITY OF OTHER MEN OF GOD WAS CHALLENGED AND NOT BELIEVED

Jere
26:8-9-(regarding Jeremiah) NOW IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN JEREMIAH HAD MADE AN END
OF SPEAKING ALL THAT THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM TO SPEAK UNTO ALL THE PEOPLE,
THAT THE PRIESTS AND THE PROPHETS AND ALL THE PEOPLE TOOK HIM, SAYING, THOU
SHALT SURELY DIE. WHY HAST THOU PROPHESIED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, SAYING,
THIS HOUSE SHALL BE LIKE SHILOH, AND THIS CITY SHALL BE DESOLATE WITHOUT AN
INHABITANT? AND ALL THE PEOPLE WERE GATHERED AGAINST JEREMIAH IN THE HOUSE
OF THE LORD. Jeremiah had spoken the Word of God to people that did
not want to repent and that had an accusing heart. They were angry and wanted
to kill him. How many so-called Christians are the same way today? Their minister
will try to give them godly advice and correct them, but they lose their temper
and then go about to discredit their minister’s authority to other people behind
his back. They accuse him and ridicule him and try to turn others against him—only
because he gave them God’s Word.
Jere 43:2-(regarding Jeremiah) THEN SPAKE AZARIAH,…AND JOHANAN,…AND
ALL THE PROUD MEN, SAYING UNTO JEREMIAH, THOU SPEAKEST FALSELY:…GOD HATH
NOT SENT THEE TO SAY, GO NOT INTO EGYPT TO SOJOURN THERE. Jeremiah had
given them God’s Word which meant they would have to trust in God to protect
them from the king of Babylon rather than Egypt. However, these were men of
no faith. Even though they had witnessed that all of Jeremiah’s prophecies had
come to pass, they still could not walk in faith and believe what God had told
them to do through the prophet Jeremiah. They accused Jeremiah of lying to them
and forsook his advice. They undermined the authority of God on Jeremiah. They
went to Egypt and perished just as Jeremiah had said. Is it so different today?
Countless numbers of people sit in Christian churches as God’s Word comes forth
from their minister. Yet they will not believe God is speaking to them by His
Word through their preacher. They forsake God’s advice given to them and ultimately
perish.

12-OTHER
EXAMPLES OF AUTHORITY BEING DISCREDITED

Many
other verses could be used. In Acts 13:45,50; 21:27,28,38, the people spoke
against what Paul taught trying to discredit his authority. In Acts 24:1,2,5,6,
Paul was accused of many things, including being a ringleader of what people
today would undoubtedly call a cult. In Acts 22:22, they wanted to kill Paul.
In Acts 23:1,2, the high priest commanded Paul to be smitten. In Acts 6:10-14,
false accusers came against Stephen.

13-THE
AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD WAS CHALLENGED AND NOT BELIEVED

Gen
3:1-5-(regarding God’s Word) NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTIL THAN ANY BEAST
OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. AND HE SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YEA, HATH
GOD SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN? The devil was challenging
the words that God himself had spoken. AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THE SERPENT,
WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN: BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE
TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HATH SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF
IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, LEST YE DIE. AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN,
YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. At this point, the devil was trying to
convince Eve that God had lied to her. He then uses a bit of psychology to go
along with what he had said to persuade Eve to sin. The serpent said, FOR GOD
DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND
YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL. It worked on Eve, and it has worked
on countless millions of people throughout history, and it works on people today
as well. Satan undermined the authority of God and His Word. This is why one
can hear many of Satan’s ministers make comments like, "We are not to take
the Bible literally," or "Those words do not mean quite what they
seem to say because." Some would say, "All the Bible is not for today.
It is only symbolic." Yet God’s Word is clear on this subject. It is written
2 Tim 3:16-ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR
DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. Some
would say we are to only go by the New Testament. God’s Word says in Deut 8:3-MAN
DOTH NOT LIVE BY BREAD ONLY, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH
OF THE LORD DOTH MAN LIVE. Pv 30:5-EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE. Lk 4:4-AND JESUS
ANSWERED HIM, SAYING, IT IS WRITTEN, THAT MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE,
BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD.

14-A
FEW REASONS AUTHORITY IS NOT BELIEVED (Satan puts wrong thoughts into a person’s mind; the person’s evil heart
chooses to believe what is wrong)
(Specific lying, accusing thoughts from Satan)

It
is written, Hos 4:6-"MY"PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED
FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: BECAUSE THOU HAST REJECTED KNOWLEDGE, I WILL ALSO REJECT
THEE. (Satan blinds the hearts of many so they reject God’s Word. They reject
His knowledge and authority. They reject life.)
Ex 6:9-AND MOSES SPAKE SO UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: BUT
THEY HEARKENED NOT UNTO MOSES FOR ANGUISH OF SPIRIT (or discouragement),
AND FOR CRUEL BONDAGE. (There are times when Satan can use the hurts we are
enduring to blind us. As a result, we refuse to hearken to God’s Word or the
authority of the one God has put over us. In many cases, Satan is so successful
that the person will perish.)
Mt 25:25-26-I WAS AFRAID, AND WENT AND HID
THY TALENT IN THE EARTH: LO, THERE THOU HAST THAT IS THINE. HIS LORD ANSWERED
AND SAID UNTO HIM, THOU WICKED AND SLOTHFUL (or lazy) SERVANT. (Satan often
uses fear to deceive and stop God’s servants from obeying and serving Him. Perhaps
they get ready to witness, but because of fear they do not go. Perhaps they
are called to be a missionary, but because of fear they will not go. They know
they should confess Jesus openly, but because of fear of persecution from other
family members or people at work they hide their testimony and don't speak.
They know they should go to church and perhaps even sing in the choir, but because
of fear they don't do it. God calls this kind of person wicked and lazy. They
perish. They ought to have feared God more than men as He has power to cast
a person into hell.
Lk 11:15-BUT SOME OF THEM SAID, HE CASTETH OUT DEVILS
THROUGH BEELZEBUB THE CHIEF OF THE DEVILS. (Satan put lying thoughts
into their heart. Their evil heart chose to believe the lies. Satan succeeded
in deceiving them. They committed the unforgivable sin. They tried to deceive
others also.)
Lk 16:14-AND THE PHARISEES ALSO, WHO WERE COVETOUS,…THEY
DERIDED HIM.
Jn 6:53,60,63,66-THEN JESUS SAID…EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH
OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU. MANY THEREFORE
OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THIS, SAID, THIS IS AN HARD SAYING;
WHO CAN HEAR IT? (Jesus said) THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT,
AND THEY ARE LIFE. FROM THAT TIME MANYOF HIS DISCIPLES
WENT BACK, AND WALKED NO MORE WITH HIM. (Again, Satan was able to blind
the hearts and minds of many of the disciples that followed Jesus. These were
disciples—they had apparently repented and were also probably baptized. They
undoubtedly saw the miracles He did—yet they still left Him.)
Satan does the same with many people today that start to
read the Bible. They begin reading but there are many things they do not understand
so they give up. They would find as they obey the things they do understand,
God will open up more to understand. When a child begins first grade, he is
not expected to understand what will be taught in the third grade. He first
must learn the basics. So it is with God’s Word. As a person learns, understands,
and obeys the milk of the Word (basic doctrines), the Holy Spirit reveals more
from Scriptures. Humility, faithfulness, obedience, and patience are needed.
Study God’s Word every day faithfully—suggest at least 5 or more chapters a
day beginning in the New Testament. Beware that Satan does not deceive you,
and you forsake Jesus and the authority of His Word as these disciples did.
Jn 7:20-THE PEOPLE ANSWERED AND SAID (to Jesus), THOU
HAST A DEVIL. (Satan put lying thoughts into their heart. Their evil
heart chose to believe the lies. Satan succeeded in deceiving them.)
Jn 7:27-HOWBEIT WE KNOW THIS MAN WHENCE HE IS: BUT WHEN
CHRIST COMETH, NO MAN KNOWETH WHENCE HE IS. (They had wrong thoughts.
The Old Testament which they used said no such thing. Satan succeeded in deceiving
them, and they tried to deceive others.)
Jn 7:41-42-OTHERS SAID, THIS IS THE CHRIST. BUT SOME SAID,
SHALL CHRIST COME OUT OF GALILEE? HATH NOT THE SCRIPTURE
SAID, THAT CHRIST COMETH OF THE SEED OF DAVID, AND OUT OF THE TOWN OF
BETHLEHEM, WHERE DAVID WAS? (They did not know or understand the other Scriptures
regarding Jesus and the Galilee. Satan succeeded in deceiving them, and they
tried to deceive others.)
Jn 7:48-HAVE ANY OF THE RULERS OR OF THE PHARISEES
BELIEVED ON HIM? (Satan tries to use peer pressure and humiliation on
people. He often succeeds in deceiving people this way.)
Jn 7:50-52-NICODEMUS SAITH UNTO THEM,…DOTH OUR LAW JUDGE
ANY MAN, BEFORE IT HEAR HIM, AND KNOW WHAT HE DOETH? THEY ANSWERED AND SAID
UNTO HIM, ART THOU ALSO OF GALILEE? SEARCH, AND LOOK: FOR OUT OF GALILEE
ARISETH NO PROPHET. (They tried to humiliate or discredit what Nicodemus
said. They did not understand many of the Scriptures that told of the coming
of the Messiah. Satan succeeded in deceiving them, and they tried to deceive
others.)
Jn 9:16-THEREFORE SAID SOME OF THE PHARISEES, THIS
MAN IS NOT OF GOD, BECAUSE HE KEEPETH NOT THE SABBATH DAY. (They heart
did not understand the Scriptures, so they believed Satan’s lie. Satan succeeded
in deceiving them, and they tried to deceive others.)
Jn 9:22-THESE WORDS SPAKE HIS PARENTS, BECAUSE THEY
FEARED THE JEWS: FOR THE JEWS HAD AGREED ALREADY, THAT IF ANY MAN DID
CONFESS THAT HE WAS CHRIST, HE SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE. (Fear can
cause people to choose to believe Satan’s lies in their thoughts. Some people
will not follow Jesus, because they are afraid they will lose their wife, husband,
or job. They are afraid they will suffer persecutions from their parents or
friends. Satan succeeds in deceiving them.)
Jn 9:24-THEN AGAIN CALLED THEY THE MAN THAT WAS BLIND, AND
SAID UNTO HIM, GIVE GOD THE PRAISE: WE KNOW THAT THIS MAN (which
is Jesus) IS A SINNER. (Satan put lying thoughts into their heart.
Their evil heart chose to believe the lies. Satan succeeded in deceiving them.)
Jn 10:20-AND MANY OF THEM SAID, HE (Jesus)
HATH A DEVIL, AND IS MAD (or crazy); WHY HEAR YE HIM? (Satan lied
to them in their thoughts and hearts. He succeeded in deceiving them, and they,
in turn, tried to deceive others.)
Jn 11:47,48-THEN GATHERED THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES
A COUNCIL, AND SAID, WHAT DO WE? FOR THIS MAN DOETH MANY MIRACLES. IF
WE LET HIM THUS ALONE, ALL MEN WILL BELIEVE ON HIM: AND THE ROMANS SHALL COME
AND TAKE AWAY BOTH OUR PLACE AND NATION. (These were fearful. They loved
their job and this present world. They were envious of Jesus. He challenged
their teaching.)
Jn 12:43-FOR THEY LOVED THE PRAISE OF MEN MORE THAN THE PRAISE
OF GOD. (Human nature often wants and enjoys the praise of men. This is one
reason some ministers use a lot of jokes and foolishness. Often people want
to be highly thought of. This is more important to them than the praise of God.
Their heart desires the praise of men more than the praise of God so Satan is
able to deceive them.)
Jn 19:12-The Jews cried out…(This man) MAKETH HIMSELF A KING…(Satan
had so blinded their hearts so they didn’t recognize Jesus’ authority was from
God. Satan blinds the hearts of many today in the same way. They do not recognize
that there is a God and that the Bible is God’s Word speaking to them. They
have wrong thoughts and are deceived and do not even know it until they perish
to hell.)
Acts 4:15-18,21-BUT WHEN THEY HAD COMMANDED THEM (Peter and
other apostles) TO GO ASIDE OUT OF THE COUNCIL, THEY CONFERRED AMONG THEMSELVES,
SAYING, WHAT SHALL WE DO TO THESE MEN? FOR THAT INDEED A NOTABLE MIRACLE HATH
BEEN DONE…BUT THAT IT SPREAD NO FURTHER AMONG THE PEOPLE, LET US STRAITLY
THREATEN THEM, THAT THEY SPEAK HENCEFORTH TO NO MAN IN THIS NAME. SO
WHEN THEY HAD FURTHER THREATENED THEM, THEY LET THEM GO. (Satan
often uses threats to try and terrify people so they will not follow Jesus or
speak His Word.)
Acts 24:5,6-FOR WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN A PESTILENT
FELLOW, AND A MOVER OF SEDITION AMONG ALL THE JEWS THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD, AND A RINGLEADER OF THE SECT OF THE NAZARENES: WHO
ALSO HATH GONE ABOUT TO PROFANE THE TEMPLE. (Satan deceived their
evil hearts with four twisted accusations against Paul. They were deceived and
tried to deceive others.)
Acts 24:14-BUT THIS I (Paul) CONFESS UNTO THEE, THAT AFTER
THE WAY WHICH THEY CALL HERESY, SO WORSHIP I THE GOD OF MY FATHERS,
BELIEVING ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. (Satan
had successfully put in the minds of Paul’s accusers that what is right and
truth was wrong and what is wrong and lies was right. Most of the religious
leaders of those days as well as this generation believe they are following
God, but in truth they are following the deceiver. They are unable to rightly
discern God’s Word. Indeed, Satan deceiveth the whole world.)
Acts 26:24-FESTUS SAID WITH A LOUD VOICE, PAUL, THOU
ART BESIDE THYSELF; MUCH LEARNING DOTH MAKE THEE MAD.
(Satan deceives people. He puts in the hearts of some accusers that their preacher
doesn’t have enough Bible school training. He puts in the hearts of other accusers
that their preacher has too much Bible school training and thus cannot relate
to the people. He is crazy. They accuse their preacher no matter what he does.
Satan deceives them, and they try to deceive others by spreading their wicked
thoughts. The bottom line is that they do not want the authority of Jesus or
God’s Word to reign over them.)
Acts 28:22-AS CONCERNING THIS SECT, WE KNOW THAT EVERY
WHERE IT IS SPOKEN AGAINST. (If Paul were alive today, he would be called
a cult leader even as he was when he lived. Paul did not compromise his preaching
as many do today. He did not preach about the Bible. He preached THE WORD and
used it as it is meant to be used—as a two-edged sword. As Paul was hated by
most in his day, he would also be hated today. Many wanted to kill him then,
and today it would be the same as people do not want to submit to the authority
of God’s Word. Satan deceived the people regarding Paul and his followers by
having many people everywhere speak against it. How has Satan deceived you?)
Ex 5:22,23-AND MOSES RETURNED UNTO THE LORD, AND SAID, LORD,
WHEREFORE HAST THOU SO EVIL ENTREATED THIS PEOPLE? WHY IS IT THAT THOU HAST
SENT ME? FOR SINCE I CAME TO PHARAOH TO SPEAK IN THY NAME, HE HATH DONE EVIL
TO THIS PEOPLE; NEITHER HAST THOU DELIVERED THY PEOPLE AT ALL. (Even Moses had
times when he did not understand and had wrong thoughts as can be seen in these
verses. Do not underestimate the power of the devil to put lies into your heart
and deceive you. It is written, 1 Pe 5:8,9-BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR
ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR:
WHOM RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED
IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD.

15-WHAT
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO REJECT GOD’S AUTHORITY?

Mt
13:4,19-They have a WAY SIDE heart, so Satan is able to catch away the Word
that was sown in their heart. Satan deceives them, and they perish. They never
understood the Word or the authority of God.
Mt 13:5,21-These have a STONY heart. The Word gets into their
heart, and they understand for a while but then it withers away. Satan after
a time deceives them, and they perish.
Mt 13:7-These have a thorny heart. The Word gets into their
heart and they understand for a while but then it is choked out through cares
of this world, deceitfulness of riches, lusts, and pleasures. Satan, after a
time, is able to choke the Word out of these people. They perish.
Jn 3:19-MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE
THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL.
Jn 3:20-FOR EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL HATETH
THE LIGHT, NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.
Jn 8:37-I KNOW THAT YE ARE ABRAHAM'S SEED; BUT YE SEEK TO
KILL ME, BECAUSE MY WORD HATH NO PLACE IN YOU.
Jn 8:39-YE…DO (not) THE WORKS OF (God)Jn 8:41-YE DO THE DEEDS OF
YOUR FATHER (which is Satan).
Jn 8:43-WHY DO YE NOT UNDERSTAND MY SPEECH? EVEN BECAUSE
YE CANNOT HEAR MY WORD.
Jn 8:47-GOD'S WORDS: YE…HEAR THEM NOT, BECAUSE YE ARE
NOT OF GOD.
Acts 28:23-27-(ref Mt 13:13-15)-THERE CAME MANY TO HIM INTO
HIS LODGING; TO WHOM HE EXPOUNDED AND TESTIFIED THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PERSUADING
THEM CONCERNING JESUS…AND SOME BELIEVED…AND SOME BELIEVED NOT….(Paul then said)
WELL SPAKE THE HOLY GHOST BY ESAIAS THE PROPHET UNTO OUR FATHERS, SAYING, GO
UNTO THIS PEOPLE, AND SAY, HEARING YE SHALL HEAR, AND SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND SEEING YE SHALL SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE: FOR THE HEART
OF THIS PEOPLE IS WAXED GROSS, AND THEIR EARS ARE DULL OF HEARING,
AND THEIR EYES HAVE THEY CLOSED. (What people are Satan able to
deceive? Actually everyone at one time or another. Some will say, "Satan
cannot deceive me." These are already deceived and do not even know it.
When a person is deceived, it is rare that they know it. Many people’s hearts
are hard and calloused. They hear and think they understand, but they do not.
They see and think they see correctly, but they do not because their hearts
are hard and calloused. The Scriptures show us that if a person thinks they
are in the light or thinks they are saved, but in reality they are in darkness
and not saved-HOW GREAT IS THAT DARKNESS-Mt 6:23. When a person is positive
he is saved but is not, it is nearly impossible to get him to see his sin and
error. It is nearly impossible to get them to repent and submit to the authority
of God’s Word.)
1 Cor 2:14-BUT THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS
OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD: FOR THEY ARE FOOLISHNESS (or nonsense)
UNTO HIM: NEITHER CAN HE KNOW (or grasp) THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE
SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.
Col 1:21-YOU,…WERE SOMETIME ALIENATED
AND ENEMIESIN YOUR MINDBY WICKED WORKS.
Eph 4:18-HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, BEING
ALIENATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD THROUGH THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM,
BECAUSE OF THE BLINDNESS OF THEIR HEART.Jude 11-THEY…RAN GREEDILY AFTER THE ERROR
OF BALAAM FOR REWARD.
Titus 1:15-16-UNTO THE PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE: BUT UNTO
THEM THAT ARE DEFILED AND UNBELIEVING IS NOTHING PURE;
BUT EVEN THEIR MIND AND CONSCIENCE IS DEFILED. THEY PROFESS THAT
THEY KNOW GOD; BUT IN WORKS THEY DENY HIM, BEING ABOMINABLE, AND DISOBEDIENT,
AND UNTO EVERY GOOD WORK REPROBATE.

16-A
SUMMARY OF WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO REJECT GOD'S AUTHORITY

They
have a wayside, stony, or thorny heart.
They practice evil or sin.
God’s Word has no place in them.
They do not do the works of God.
They do the works of Satan.
They cannot hear or understand God’s Word.
Their heart is waxed gross, their ears are dull of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed.
They are worldly, natural, carnal. They cannot spiritually
discern.
They do wicked works.
They have a blind heart.
They run after error for profit.
They do not have a pure heart.
They have unbelieving and defiled thoughts.
Their mind and conscience is even defiled.
They are abominable and disobedient and reprobate regarding
every good work.

17-UNDERSTANDING
OF AUTHORITY COMES FROM GOD;
A PERSON’S OWN HEART CAN STOP THIS UNDERSTANDING:
YET A PERSON'S HEART CAN BE PURIFIED TO UNDERSTAND

Mt
16:17-AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, BLESSED ART THOU, SIMON BARJONA:
FOR FLESH AND BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED IT UNTO THEE, BUT MY
FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
Jn 14:26-BUT THE COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY
GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS.
1 Cor 2:13-WHICH THINGS ALSO WE SPEAK, NOT IN THE WORDS WHICH
MAN'S WISDOM TEACHETH, BUT WHICH THE HOLY GHOST TEACHETH; COMPARING
SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL.
1 Jn 2:27-BUT THE ANOINTING WHICH YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM
ABIDETH IN YOU, AND YE NEED NOT THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU: BUT AS THE SAME ANOINTING
TEACHETH YOU OF ALL THINGS, AND IS TRUTH, AND IS NO LIE, AND EVEN AS IT HATH
TAUGHT YOU, YE SHALL ABIDE IN HIM.

18-HOW
CAN A PERSON PURIFY THEIR HEARTS TO UNDERSTAND AUTHORITY?

Mt
5:8-BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.
Ja 4:8-10-DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU.
CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, YE SINNERS; AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE MINDED.
BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN, AND WEEP: LET YOUR LAUGHTER BE TURNED TO MOURNING,
AND YOUR JOY TO HEAVINESS. HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE
SHALL LIFT YOU UP. The Bible commands the double-minded person to purify their
hearts.

19-THE
BIBLE TELLS HOW TO OBTAIN A PURE HEART

Acts
15:9-AND PUT NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THEM, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS
BY FAITH.
1 Pe 1:22-SEEING YE HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS
IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT UNTO UNFEIGNED LOVE OF
THE BRETHREN, SEE THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH A PURE HEART FERVENTLY.
I Jn 3:2-3-BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH
NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE: BUT WE KNOW THAT, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE
SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS. AND EVERY MAN THAT HATH
THIS HOPE IN HIMPURIFIETH HIMSELF, EVEN AS HE IS PURE.

20-PURIFYING
ONE'S HEART COMES FROM A FOURFOLD COMMAND

1-FAITH.
Purification comes from faith. This faith comes only from hearing (or reading,
studying, and meditating in God’s Word) AND
BELIEVING IT. 2-OBEDIENCE. A person needs to obey God’s Word.
3-LOVE. A person needs to love the brethren (even when being
corrected).
4-HOPE. A person must have the hope of knowing when Jesus
shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

21-THE
DEVILS RECOGNIZE AUTHORITY

Mk
1:34 (Lk 4:41)-(The) DEVILS;…THEY KNEW HIM.
Lk 4:34-(The devils said) ART THOU COME TO DESTROY US? I
KNOW THEE WHO THOU ART; THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.
Lk 4:41-AND DEVILS ALSO CAME OUT OF MANY, CRYING OUT, AND
SAYING, THOU ART CHRIST THE SON OF GOD.
Lk 9:1-THEN HE CALLED HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES TOGETHER, AND
GAVE THEM POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL DEVILS, AND TO CURE DISEASES.
Lk 10:17-AND THE SEVENTY RETURNED AGAIN WITH JOY, SAYING,
LORD, EVEN THE DEVILS ARE SUBJECT UNTO US THROUGH THY NAME.
Acts 19:15-AND THE EVIL SPIRIT ANSWERED AND SAID, JESUS
I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YE?
Ja 2:19-THOU BELIEVEST THAT THERE IS ONE GOD; THOU DOEST
WELL: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE.

22-JESUS
HAD AUTHORITY OR POWER OVER ALL: THE WEATHER, THE TEMPLE,
THE SABBATH DAY, MATTER, THE CREATION, OVER DEVILS, SIN, DEATH, GRAVITY,
SICKNESS, JUDGMENT, AND OVER HIS OWN DEATH; HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY

As
already seen, God the Father gave authority to Jesus.
Mt 8:26,27-(Jesus had authority over the weather)-THEN HE
AROSE, AND REBUKED THE WINDS AND THE SEA; AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM. BUT THE
MEN MARVELLED, SAYING, WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS, THAT EVEN THE WINDS
AND THE SEA OBEY HIM!
Mt 12:6-(Jesus was greater than the Temple)-BUT I SAY UNTO
YOU, THAT IN THIS PLACE IS ONE GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE.
Mt 12:8-(Jesus had authority over the Sabbath day)-THE SON
OF MAN IS LORD EVEN OF THE SABBATH DAY.
Mt 15:34-38-(Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes) (He
had authority over atoms or matter).
Mt 21:19-(Jesus had authority over the creation)-(Jesus)
SAW A FIG TREE IN THE WAY,…AND SAID UNTO IT, LET NO FRUIT GROW ON THEE HENCEFORWARD
FOR EVER. AND PRESENTLY THE FIG TREE WITHERED AWAY.
Mk 1:27 (Lk 4:36) (Mk 5:7)-(Jesus had authority over devils)-AND
THEY WERE ALL AMAZED,… SAYING, WHAT THING IS THIS? FOR WITH AUTHORITY
COMMANDETH HE EVEN THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS, AND THEY DO OBEY HIM.
Mk 2:10-12-(Jesus had authority to forgive sins)-BUT THAT
YE MAY KNOW THAT THE SON OF MAN HATH POWER ON EARTH TO FORGIVE
SINS, (HE SAITH TO THE SICK OF THE PALSY,) I SAY UNTO THEE, ARISE, AND TAKE
UP THY BED,...AND IMMEDIATELY HE AROSE, TOOK UP THE BED, AND WENT FORTH BEFORE
THEM ALL.
Mk 5:41,42 and Jn 11:43,44-(Jesus had authority over death)-(Jesus
raised the damsel from the dead) (He also raised Lazarus and others).
Mk 6:49-(Jesus had authority over gravity)-THEY SAW HIM WALKING
UPON THE SEA.
Mk 6:56-(Jesus had authority over all sickness)-AND AS MANY
AS TOUCHED HIM WERE MADE WHOLE.
Mk 16:19-(Jesus had authority over gravity)-SO THEN AFTER
THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO THEM, HE WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN,
AND SAT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. Lk 24:51-AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHILE HE BLESSED
THEM, HE WAS PARTED FROM THEM, AND CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN.
Jn 5:27-(Jesus had authority to execute judgment)-AND HATH
GIVEN HIM AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT ALSO, BECAUSE HE IS THE
SON OF MAN.
Acts 2:24-(Death or the grave could not hold Jesus)-GOD HATH
RAISED UP, HAVING LOOSED THE PAINS OF DEATH: BECAUSE IT
WAS NOTPOSSIBLE THAT HE SHOULD BE HOLDEN OF IT.
Phil 2:9-11-(Jesus had a name above every name)-WHEREFORE
GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM, AND GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY
NAME: THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THINGS IN HEAVEN,
AND THINGS IN EARTH, AND THINGS UNDER THE EARTH; AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD
CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
Mt 28:18-(Jesus had all authority)-AND JESUS CAME AND SPAKE
UNTO THEM, SAYING, ALL POWER (or it may be said authority) IS GIVEN UNTO ME
IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH.

23-JESUS
TAUGHT AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY

Jesus
did not teach as the religious leaders of his time. He did not teach as many
do today—about the Bible. Jesus taught—THE WORD. He is the Word. Mt 7:29-FOR
HE TAUGHT THEM AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY, AND NOT AS THE SCRIBES.
Mk 1:22-AND THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE: FOR HE
TAUGHT THEM AS ONE THAT HAD AUTHORITY, AND NOT AS THE SCRIBES.
In today’s churches, the Word is usually mixed with much other teaching such
as stories about the minister, his family, things that happen to him, or other
events, or even other books, or what other people say. The Word is seldom taught
with authority, relating Scripture with Scripture. Indeed, the lukewarm people
of this generation love to have it so.

24-GOD
GIVES AUTHORITY TO APOSTLES, MINISTERS, ELDERS, AND DEACONS

God
gives authority to His apostles, ministers, and elders. It is written, 2 Cor
10:8-FOR THOUGH I SHOULD BOAST SOMEWHAT MORE OF OUR AUTHORITY,
WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION,
I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:
Titus 2:15-THESE THINGS SPEAK, AND EXHORT, AND REBUKE WITH
ALL AUTHORITY. LET NO MAN DESPISE THEE.
The true ordaining of God’s ministers is from God, not from
men. It is written, Eph 3:7-WHEREOF I WAS MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE
GIFT OF THE GRACE OF GOD GIVEN UNTO ME BY THE EFFECTUAL WORKING OF HIS POWER.
Col 1:23,25-WHEREOF I PAUL…AM MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING
TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFIL THE WORD
OF GOD.

25-JESUS
GIVES AUTHORITY OR POWER
TO HIS BORN-AGAIN SERVANTS, HIS DISCIPLES

Mt
10:1-AND WHEN HE HAD CALLED UNTO HIM HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES, HE GAVE
THEM POWERAGAINST UNCLEAN SPIRITS, TO CAST THEM OUT, AND TO HEAL
ALL MANNER OF SICKNESSAND ALL MANNER OF DISEASE.
Lk 9:1-THEN HE CALLED HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES TOGETHER, AND
GAVE THEM POWER AND AUTHORITYOVER ALL DEVILS, AND TO CURE
DISEASES.
Mk 6:7-AND HE CALLED UNTO HIM THE TWELVE, AND BEGAN
TO SEND THEM FORTH BY TWO AND TWO; AND GAVE THEM POWER (or authority)
OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
Mk 13:34-FOR THE SON OF MAN IS AS A MAN TAKING A FAR JOURNEY,
WHO LEFT HIS HOUSE, AND GAVE AUTHORITY TO HIS SERVANTS, AND TO EVERY
MAN HIS WORK, AND COMMANDED THE PORTER TO WATCH.
Lk 10:19-20-BEHOLD, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER TO
TREAD ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY:
AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU. NOTWITHSTANDING IN THIS REJOICE NOT,
THAT THE SPIRITS ARE SUBJECT UNTO YOU; BUT RATHER REJOICE, BECAUSE YOUR NAMES
ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.
Mk 3:14-15-AND HE ORDAINED TWELVE, THAT THEY
SHOULD BE WITH HIM, AND THAT HE MIGHT SEND THEM FORTH TO PREACH, AND TO HAVE
POWER (or authority) TO HEAL SICKNESSES, AND TO CAST
OUT DEVILS.

26-BORN-AGAIN
BELIEVERS HAVE AUTHORITY FROM GOD

God
gives authority to born-again believers. Some of that authority is listed in
the following verses.
Mt 10:16-BEHOLD, I SEND YOU FORTH AS SHEEP
IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES: BE YE THEREFORE WISE AS SERPENTS, AND HARMLESS AS DOVES.
Mk 16:15-AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE
WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
Mt 28:19-20-GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS,
BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST:
TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, LO,
I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN.
Mk 1:17-AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, COME YE AFTER ME, AND I
WILL MAKE YOU TO BECOME FISHERS OF MEN.
Mk 6:11-AND WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU, NOR HEAR YOU,
WHEN YE DEPART THENCE, SHAKE OFF THE DUST UNDER YOUR FEET FOR A TESTIMONY
AGAINST THEM. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, IT SHALL BE MORE TOLERABLE FOR
SODOM AND GOMORRHA IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, THAN FOR THAT CITY.
Mk 16:17-18-AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE;
IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;
THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT
HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER.
Mk 13:34-FOR THE SON OF MAN IS AS A MAN TAKING A FAR JOURNEY,
WHO LEFT HIS HOUSE, AND GAVE AUTHORITY TO HIS SERVANTS, AND TO
EVERY MAN HIS WORK, AND COMMANDED THE PORTER TO WATCH. Jn 15:16-YE HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU,
AND ORDAINED YOU, THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT, AND
THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN: THAT WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK OF THE FATHER IN
MY NAME, HE MAY GIVE IT YOU.
2 Cor 3:5-6-GOD; WHO ALSO HATH MADE US
ABLE MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT:
FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE.
2 Cor 5:18-20-AND ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD, WHO
HATH RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF BY JESUS CHRIST, AND HATH GIVEN TO US THE
MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION; TO WIT, THAT GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING
THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES UNTO THEM; AND HATH COMMITTED
UNTO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST,
AS THOUGH GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US: WE PRAY YOU IN CHRIST'S STEAD, BE YE RECONCILED
TO GOD.
1 Thes 2:4-BUT AS WE WERE ALLOWED OF GOD TO
BE PUT IN TRUST WITH THE GOSPEL, EVEN SO WE SPEAK; NOT AS PLEASING
MEN, BUT GOD, WHICH TRIETH OUR HEARTS.
1 Tim 1:12-AND I THANK CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD,
WHO HATH ENABLED ME, FOR THAT HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL, PUTTING ME INTO
THE MINISTRY.
1 Tim 2:7-WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED A PREACHER,
AND AN APOSTLE, (I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, AND LIE NOT;) A TEACHER OF THE
GENTILES IN FAITH AND VERITY.

27-THE
AUTHORITY OF THE WORD

Jesus
is the Word. The authority of Jesus is the authority of the Word. God’s Word
tells us clearly, that we are to live by every word of God—in other words, we
are to live by all the Bible. Since faith can only come from God’s Word, and
it is by faith that we stand and overcome all things, Satan will do everything
possible to keep a person from reading, studying, hearing, and meditating in
God’s pure Word. When a person makes excuses why they can’t spend time in the
Word, what they are actually repeating are thoughts that Satan has put in their
heart, and their evil heart agrees with the deception. If a person puts other
things before God’s Word, he is putting other things before Jesus, Who gave
His very life so that we might have eternal life. If a person does not love
God’s Word, he does not love Jesus, Who is the Word. It is written, Mk 12:30-AND
THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL,
AND WITH ALL THY MIND, AND WITH ALL THY STRENGTH: THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
Very few people can understand that if they do not love God’s Word, they do
not love God.
Satan also does all he can to persuade preachers to tell
all sorts of stories, to read out of various books, and to use very little Scripture.
And if the preacher does determine to use Scripture, Satan will do all he can
to persuade him to preach nice stories from God’s Word rather than teaching
on sin, judgment, fearing God, repentance, etc.
It is written, Jn 1:1,14-IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD (which
is Jesus), AND THE WORD (which is Jesus) WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD (which is
Jesus) WAS GOD. AND THE WORD (which is Jesus) WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG
US, (AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER,)
FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.
Rev 19:11-13-AND HE (Jesus) WAS CLOTHED WITH A VESTURE DIPPED
IN BLOOD: AND HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD.
Mt 4:4-BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL
NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH
OF GOD.

28-THE
AUTHORITY OF THE BLOOD

BLOOD-shed
for the remission of sins-ref Mt 26:28.BLOOD-Redemption through His blood-Eph
1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:12; 1 Pe 1:18,19; Rev 5:9.BLOOD-Justified by His blood-Ro 5:9.BLOOD-Reconciled by the blood-Lev
6:30; 8:15; 2 Chr 29:24.BLOOD-Washed us from our sins in His
own blood-Rev 1:5.BLOOD-Even the forgiveness of sins-Col
1:14.BLOOD-Entered into the holiest by
His blood-ref Heb 10:19.BLOOD-The church is purchased by the
blood-ref Acts 20:28.BLOOD-Sanctify the people with His
own blood-Heb 10:29; 13:12.BLOOD-Cleansed from all sin by the
blood-ref 1 Jn 1:7.BLOOD-Propitiation through faith in
His blood-Ro 3:25.BLOOD-Overcame Satan by the blood-ref
Rev 12:11.BLOOD-Making peace through the blood
of the cross-Col 1:20.BLOOD-Eateth My flesh, and drinketh
My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him-Jn 6:56.BLOOD-Purge your conscience-Heb 9:14.BLOOD-Almost all things are…purged
with blood-Heb 9:22.

29-PASTORS
HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE LORD'S FLOCK

Most
people are very ignorant of the Scriptures or have very little understanding.
A man’s evil nature is rebellious against authority, even from his youth. Yet,
God’s word commands His servants to obey those ministers and elders that He
has placed over them.
It is written, Heb 13:17-OBEY THEM THAT HAVE
THE RULE OVER YOU (your leaders), AND SUBMIT YOURSELVES
(to their authority-NIV): FOR THEY WATCH FOR YOUR SOULS (they keep watch
over you-NIV), AS THEY THAT MUST GIVE ACCOUNT (obey them-NIV), THAT THEY
MAY DO IT (their work) WITH JOY, AND NOT WITH GRIEF (or not a burden): FOR THAT
IS UNPROFITABLE (or of no advantage) FOR YOU. The pastor has God’s authority
over the flock that God has given to his charge. A person is to obey the pastor
and the elders. They watch for the person’s soul and will have to give an account.
It is unprofitable for a person to disobey God’s appointed minister over them.
Indeed, if they will not obey their minister, neither will they obey God.

The
minister has authority from God to be over the flock. 1 Thes 5:12-AND WE BESEECH
YOU, BRETHREN, TO KNOW THEM WHICH LABOUR AMONG YOU, AND ARE OVER
YOU IN THE LORD

The
congregation is not only to obey their pastor, but they are to love him. It
is written, 1 Thes 5:12-13-AND WE BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN,…TO ESTEEM THEM VERY
HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE. AND BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES.

It
is the Holy Spirit that makes a minister an overseer of God’s flock. The authority
of that preacher over the flock is from the Holy Spirit. It is written, Acts
20:28-TAKE HEED THEREFORE UNTO YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK,
OVER THE WHICH THE HOLY GHOST HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS, TO FEED
THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.
2 Cor 3:5-6-GOD;…HATH MADE US ABLE MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
2 Cor 5:18-GOD,…HATH GIVEN TO US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.

The
saints are to follow their pastor (those that have spoken to you the Word of
God). They are to follow his faith as he follows Jesus.
It is written, Heb 13:7-REMEMBER THEM WHICH HAVE THE RULE
OVER YOU (your leaders), WHO HAVE SPOKENUNTO YOU THE WORD
OF GOD: WHOSE FAITH FOLLOW, CONSIDERING THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION.
Again, the saints are to follow their pastor. It is written,
1 Cor 4:15-16-FOR IN CHRIST JESUS I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU THROUGH THE GOSPEL. WHEREFORE
I BESEECH YOU, BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME.
1 Cor 11:1-BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM
OF CHRIST.
It is also written, 1 Cor 16:15-16-I BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN,
(…THAT THEY HAVE ADDICTED THEMSELVES TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS,) THAT YE
SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO SUCH, AND TO EVERY ONE THAT HELPETH WITH
US, AND LABOURETH.
2 Thes 3:7-FOR YOURSELVES KNOW HOW YE OUGHT TOFOLLOW
US: FOR WE BEHAVED NOT OURSELVES DISORDERLY AMONG YOU.
Phili 3:17-BE FOLLOWERS…OF ME.2 Thes 3:9-NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT POWER, BUT TO
MAKE OURSELVES AN ENSAMPLE UNTO YOUTO FOLLOW US.

Mt
23:2,3-THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES SIT IN MOSES' SEAT: ALL THEREFORE WHATSOEVER
THEY BID YOU OBSERVE, THAT OBSERVE AND DO; BUT DO
NOT YE AFTER THEIR WORKS: FOR THEY SAY, AND DO NOT.

The
minister is under authority to 1 Pet 5:2-3-FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG
YOU, TAKING THE OVERSIGHT THEREOF, NOT BY CONSTRAINT, BUT WILLINGLY; NOT FOR
FILTHY LUCRE, BUT OF A READY MIND; NEITHER AS BEING LORDS OVER GOD'S HERITAGE,
BUT BEING ENSAMPLES TO THE FLOCK.

The
minister is to be the chief servant. He should be willing to give his life for
the sheep God has given him. It is written, Mt 20:25-28-JESUS…SAID,…THE PRINCES
(or rulers) OF THE GENTILES EXERCISE DOMINION (or lord it) OVER THEM, AND THEY
THAT ARE GREAT EXERCISE AUTHORITY UPON THEM. BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU:
BUT WHOSOEVER WILL BE GREAT AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR MINISTER (or servant);
AND WHOSOEVER WILL BE CHIEF AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SERVANT (or slave): EVEN
AS THE SON OF MAN CAME NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE
HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.

The
true shepherd or minister of God will not desert the sheep when the wolf comes,
because he cares for the sheep. He will stand by them and guard them; as it
is written, Jn 10:11-15-I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS
LIFE FOR THE SHEEP. BUT HE THAT IS AN HIRELING, AND NOT THE SHEPHERD, WHOSE
OWN THE SHEEP ARE NOT, SEETH THE WOLF COMING, AND LEAVETH THE SHEEP, AND FLEETH:
AND THE WOLF CATCHETH THEM, AND SCATTERETH THE SHEEP. THE HIRELING FLEETH, BECAUSE
HE IS AN HIRELING, AND CARETH NOT FOR THE SHEEP.

The
minister has authority from God to try to, 1 Thes 3:10-PERFECT THAT WHICH IS
LACKING IN YOUR FAITH.

The
minister has authority from God to try to find out where your faith is, 1 Thes
3:5,6-I SENT TO KNOW YOUR FAITH.

The
minister has authority from God to investigate to know, 2 Cor 2:9-WHETHER YE
BE OBEDIENT IN ALL THINGS.

The
minister has authority from God, Jere 3:15-(to) FEED YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING.

The
minister has authority from God, 2 Cor 10:2-TO BE BOLD AGAINST SOME (people),
WHICH THINK OF US AS IF WE WALKED ACCORDING TO THE FLESH (or. think that we
live by the standards of this world-NIV).

The
minister has authority from God to be bold and order you, Phile 8-THEREFORE,
ALTHOUGH IN CHRIST I COULD BE (much) BOLD AND ORDER YOU TO DO WHAT YOU OUGHT
TO DO (NIV).

The
minister has authority from God, 2 Cor 13:2-TO THEM WHICH…HAVE SINNED, AND TO
ALL OTHER, THAT, IF I COME AGAIN, I WILL NOT SPARE.

The
minister has authority from God, 1 Thes 5:12-(to) ADMONISH YOU.

The
minister has authority from God to lay hands on the sick, Ja 5:14, 15-IS ANY
SICK AMONG YOU? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY
OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: AND THE PRAYER OF
FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK, AND THE LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP; AND IF HE HAVE COMMITTED
SINS, THEY SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM.

The
minister has authority to be a helper of your joy. It is written, 2 Cor 1:24-WE…ARE
HELPERS OF YOUR JOY: FOR BY FAITH YE STAND.

A
person that resists one that God sends is also resisting God. A person that
will not receive one that God sends is also not receiving God. A person that
resists the authority of their God-fearing minister is also resisting God Himself.
A person that receives one He sends, receives God; and one that obeys their
God-fearing minister, obeys God Himself. It is written, Jn 13:20-VERILY, VERILY,
I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT RECEIVETH WHOMSOEVER I SEND RECEIVETH ME; AND
HE THAT RECEIVETH ME RECEIVETH HIM THAT SENT ME.
Mk 9:37-WHOSOEVER SHALL RECEIVE ONE OF SUCH CHILDREN IN MY
NAME, RECEIVETH ME: AND WHOSOEVER SHALL RECEIVE ME, RECEIVETH NOT ME, BUT HIM
THAT SENT ME.
Lk 9:48-AND SAID UNTO THEM, WHOSOEVER SHALL RECEIVE THIS
CHILD IN MY NAME RECEIVETH ME: AND WHOSOEVER SHALL RECEIVE ME RECEIVETH HIM
THAT SENT ME: FOR HE THAT IS LEAST AMONG YOU ALL, THE SAME SHALL BE GREAT.
Jn 15:20-REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I SAID UNTO YOU,…IF THEY
HAVE KEPT MY SAYING, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.

30-PASTORS
ARE UNDER COMMANDMENT (OR AUTHORITY) TO DO THE FOLLOWING (Mostly taken from the previous Scriptures)

The
Holy Ghost makes overseers (not men).
Lead the flock.
Take heed to all the flock.
Watch for their souls.
Give an account of those God has put under you.
Addict yourself to the ministry of the saints.
Labor in the Word and doctrine-1 Tim 5:17.
Willingly feed the flock of God and be of a ready mind.
Feed the church of God.
Feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Do not be a lord over God’s heritage.
To try to perfect that which is lacking in your faith.
To find out where your faith is at.
To try to find out whether you are obedient in all things.
The true minister of God will not desert the sheep when the
wolf comes, because he cares for the sheep. He will stand by them and guard
them.
To be bold against some.
To not spare some.
To lay hands on the sick.
Be an example to the flock of Christ.
Restore a man that has been overcome in some way by the adversary-ref
Gal 6:1.
Be the chief servant and ready to die for the flock.

31-THE
FLOCK IS UNDER COMMANDMENT TO DO THE FOLLOWING AS LONG AS IT IS NOT CONTRARY TO GOD'S WORD
(Taken from the previous Scriptures)

Obey
them.
Remember them.
Submit yourselves.
Follow them as they also follow Christ.
Follow their faith in Christ.
Whatsoever they bid you, observe and do.
Keep their sayings.
Allow their minister to help restore them that have been
overcome.
Receive him.

32-ELDERS
AND DEACONS HAVE AUTHORITY TO RULE

1
Tim 5:17-LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL BE COUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE
HONOUR, ESPECIALLY THEY WHO LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE.
Ja 5:14-IS ANY SICK AMONG YOU? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS
OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME
OF THE LORD:
1 Tim 3:1-THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF A MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE
OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK.

33-JESUS
GIVES AUTHORITY TO HIS SERVANTS AT THE JUDGMENT FOR THE MILLENNIUM

Lk
19:17-AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, WELL, THOU GOOD SERVANT: BECAUSE THOU HAST BEEN
FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE, HAVE THOU AUTHORITY OVER TEN CITIES.

34-TO
HAVE GREAT AUTHORITY AS A CHRISTIAN IS TO BE A SERVANT

The
proper attitude of a servant of God that has been given authority is to be a
humble servant. Mk 10:42-45-BUT JESUS CALLED THEM TO HIM, AND SAITH UNTO THEM,
YE KNOW THAT THEY WHICH ARE ACCOUNTED TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES EXERCISE LORDSHIP
OVER THEM; AND THEIR GREAT ONES EXERCISE AUTHORITY UPON THEM.
BUT SO SHALL IT NOT BE AMONG YOU: BUT WHOSOEVER WILL BE GREAT AMONG YOU,
SHALL BE YOUR MINISTER: AND WHOSOEVER OF YOU WILL BE THE CHIEFEST, SHALL
BE SERVANT OF ALL. FOR EVEN THE SON OF MAN CAME NOT TO BE MINISTERED
UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.

35-A
HUSBAND HAS AUTHORITY OVER HIS WIFE:
SHE IS TO SUBMIT TO HIM AS UNTO CHRIST;
HE IS TO EXHIBIT THE ATTITUDE AND FRUITS OF CHRIST

1
Pe 3:1-LIKEWISE, YE WIVES, BE IN SUBJECTION TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS; THAT, IF ANY
OBEY NOT THE WORD, THEY ALSO MAY WITHOUT THE WORD BE WON BY THE
CONVERSATION OF THE WIVES.
Col 3:18-WIVES, SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS,
AS IT IS FIT (or fitting) IN THE LORD.
Eph 5:22-24-WIVES, SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS,
AS UNTO THE LORD. FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE WIFE, EVEN AS CHRIST
IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY. THEREFORE AS
THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT UNTO CHRIST, SO LET THE WIVES BE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS
IN EVERY THING.
1 Cor 11:3-BUT I WOULD HAVE YOU KNOW, THAT THE HEAD OF EVERY
MAN IS CHRIST; AND THE HEAD OF THE WOMAN IS THE MAN.
The husband should be an example of Christ for his wife,
exhibiting all the fruits of the Spirit; but even if he isn’t, 1 Pe 3:1 shows
that she is to be in subjection to him anyway. Yet the following Scripture is
a good guideline of how the husband should be. It is written, 1 Pet 5:2-3-…NEITHER
AS BEING LORDS OVER GOD'S HERITAGE, BUT BEING ENSAMPLES TO THE FLOCK.

36-PARENTS
HAVE AUTHORITY FROM GOD

Children
are to obey also. God’s authority rests on the parent in the Lord; as it is
written, Eph 6:1-2-CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD: FOR
THIS IS RIGHT. HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER; (WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
WITH PROMISE;)

37-EMPLOYERS
HAVE AUTHORITY

Employers
also have authority from God, and their employees are to obey them. It is written,
Col 3:22-SERVANTS, OBEY IN ALL THINGS YOUR MASTERS ACCORDING TO
THE FLESH; NOT WITH EYESERVICE, AS MENPLEASERS; BUT IN SINGLENESS OF HEART,
FEARING GOD:

38-UNGODLY
CHIEF PRIESTS HAVE AUTHORITY AND CAN GIVE AUTHORITY

It
is written, Acts 9:14-AND HERE HE HATH AUTHORITY FROM THE CHIEF
PRIESTS TO BIND ALL THAT CALL ON THY NAME.
Acts 26:10-WHICH THING I ALSO DID IN JERUSALEM: AND MANY
OF THE SAINTS DID I SHUT UP IN PRISON, HAVING RECEIVED AUTHORITY
FROM THE CHIEF PRIESTS; AND WHEN THEY WERE PUT TO DEATH, I GAVE MY VOICE
AGAINST THEM.
Acts 26:12-WHEREUPON AS I WENT TO DAMASCUS WITH AUTHORITY
AND COMMISSION FROM THE CHIEF PRIESTS.

39-GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS HAVE AUTHORITY

It
is written, Lk 20:20-AND THEY WATCHED HIM, AND SENT FORTH SPIES, WHICH SHOULD
FEIGN THEMSELVES JUST MEN, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HOLD OF HIS WORDS, THAT SO THEY
MIGHT DELIVER HIM UNTO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR.
Lk 22:25-AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, THE KINGS OF THE GENTILES
EXERCISE LORDSHIP OVER THEM; AND THEY THAT EXERCISE AUTHORITY
UPON THEM ARE CALLED BENEFACTORS.
Acts 8:27-AND HE AROSE AND WENT: AND, BEHOLD, A MAN OF ETHIOPIA,
AN EUNUCH OF GREAT AUTHORITY UNDER CANDACE QUEEN OF THE ETHIOPIANS,
WHO HAD THE CHARGE OF ALL HER TREASURE, AND HAD COME TO JERUSALEM FOR TO WORSHIP.
Jn 19:10-11-THEN SAITH PILATE UNTO HIM, SPEAKEST THOU NOT
UNTO ME? KNOWEST THOU NOT THAT I HAVE POWER(or authority) TO
CRUCIFY THEE, AND HAVE POWER TO RELEASE THEE? JESUS ANSWERED, THOU COULDEST
HAVE NO POWER AT ALL AGAINST ME, EXCEPT IT WERE GIVEN THEE FROM ABOVE:
THEREFORE HE THAT DELIVERED ME UNTO THEE HATH THE GREATER SIN.

40-SATAN
AND THE DARKNESS HAS POWER (OR AUTHORITY):
SATAN IS THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR

It
is written, Acts 26:18-TO OPEN THEIR EYES, AND TO TURN THEM FROM DARKNESS TO
LIGHT, AND FROM THE POWER(or authority) OF SATAN
UNTO GOD, THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, AND INHERITANCE AMONG THEM
WHICH ARE SANCTIFIED BY FAITH THAT IS IN ME.
Lk 22:53-WHEN I WAS DAILY WITH YOU IN THE TEMPLE, YE STRETCHED
FORTH NO HANDS AGAINST ME: BUT THIS IS YOUR HOUR, AND THE POWER
(or authority) OF DARKNESS.
Col 1:13-WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER
(or authority) OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF
HIS DEAR SON.
Eph 2:2-WHEREIN IN TIME PAST YE WALKED ACCORDING TO THE COURSE
OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER(or
authority) OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF
DISOBEDIENCE.
Heb 2:14-FORASMUCH THEN AS THE CHILDREN ARE PARTAKERS OF
FLESH AND BLOOD, HE ALSO HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART OF THE SAME; THAT THROUGH
DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS,
THE DEVIL.
Note the words that are used—POWER OF SATAN, POWER OF DARKNESS,
THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, AND THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS, THE DEVIL.

41-THE
DEVIL ALSO HAS AUTHORITY AND CAN GIVE IT TO WHOM HE WILL: HE WILL GIVE IT TO THE ANTICHRIST

Satan
has authority to give us glory, money, riches, pleasures, even the whole world,
but the end leads to death. All these will he give, if a person will follow
his ways and forsake God. It is written, Lk 4:5-7-AND THE DEVIL, TAKING HIM
UP INTO AN HIGH MOUNTAIN, SHEWED UNTO HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD IN A
MOMENT OF TIME. AND THE DEVIL SAID UNTO HIM, ALL THIS POWER WILL I
GIVE THEE, AND THE GLORY OF THEM: FOR THAT IS DELIVERED UNTO ME;
AND TO WHOMSOEVER I WILL I GIVE IT. IF THOU THEREFORE WILT WORSHIP ME, ALL SHALL
BE THINE. Satan does understand the THINGS…THAT BE OF MEN-Mt 16:23. He knows
how to tempt you with what you want.
Rev 13:2-AND THE BEAST (which is the Antichrist) WHICH I
SAW WAS LIKE UNTO A LEOPARD, AND HIS FEET WERE AS THE FEET OF A BEAR, AND HIS
MOUTH AS THE MOUTH OF A LION: AND THE DRAGON (which is Satan) GAVE HIM HIS POWER,
AND HIS SEAT, AND GREAT AUTHORITY.
It is written, 2 Thes 2:9-EVEN HIM, WHOSE COMING IS AFTER
THE WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL POWER (or authority) AND SIGNS AND
LYING WONDERS.

42-THE
LUKEWARM GENERATION OF TODAY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND
THE AUTHORITYSATAN
STILL HAS

We
are living in a generation that has let down their guard against Satan Few,
if any, understand spiritual warfare as Paul did. Satan was defeated at the
cross; however, between now and the time he will be cast into the lake of fire,
he will yet deceive billions of people that will perish for eternity. While
some misled preachers mock Satan and say they can stamp him under their feet,
Satan goes right on stamping him and millions of others under his feet with
deceptions, persecutions, and things of this world that are in people’s hearts.
Why was Satan created? He was created to do exactly what
he has done in the past, what he is doing in the present, and what he will yet
do in the future as it is written.
The Bible give us multitudes of Scripture on how Satan works
and how to deal with him. It gives us thousands of verses on how Satan has deceived
Israel, Christians, and even the whole world. How is it then that most churches
spend little or no time at all preparing their flock for what Satan will do
to them. An army that teaches nothing but the psychology or the emotionalism
of, "We have the victory," and does not prepare its troops for the
battle, will find the troops being slaughtered by the enemy from a surprise
attack. Satan has a job to do—that is, to deceive you so you will perish to
hell. He is an expert and does his job well. He has had thousands of years of
practice. His intelligence is far above any person ever born of women, except
Jesus.
It is written and is a command from God for your good—1 Pe
5:8-BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT (or alert); BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY (or enemy) THE
DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH (or prowls) ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY
DEVOUR (or looking for someone to devour-NIV).
It is further written, Mk 14:38-WATCH YE AND PRAY,
LEST YE ENTER INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT TRULY IS READY, BUT THE FLESH
IS WEAK.

Eph
4:27-NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL. So few understand that when
they sin and do something wrong, they may give a place to the devil to attack
them in ways they may have never expected. 1 Jn 5:18-HE THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF
GOD KEEPETH HIMSELF, AND THAT WICKED ONE TOUCHETH HIM NOT.
The Christian’s strength comes from God’s Word. It is called
faith (or trust). Thus Satan tries to hinder a person from partaking of God’s
Word. Most people spend very little time reading or hearing God’s Word. After
all, when the average American family has the television on for about 7.2 hours
a day, there is very little time for Bible reading. Then throw in the radio,
newspapers, work around the house, and the Bible sits on the shelf collecting
dust. Satan entertains many people right to hell. People have all kinds of excuses
for not reading their Bibles. Housework, cares of this life, so many things
to do, places to go, repairs to be made, things to see, spending time on the
Internet, all sorts of games, and listening to music just seem to take all their
time. Yet Jesus said ONE THING IS NEEDFUL-Lk 10:42. That one thing is spending
quality time in God’s Word. How skillful Satan is at persuading people that
all these worldly things are more important than being in God’s Word. The Bible
tells them how Satan will attack and how to fight Him, so he keeps them from
learning these things and then easily defeats them, and they perish to hell.
So few people—probably including you—understand SATAN…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev
12:9.
He tells preachers not to preach much of God’s Word, but
tell lots of worldly stories and have the congregation sing lots of songs. It
works. Many preachers do this. He tells preachers to preach nice things that
will attract large numbers of people. It works. Many do this. He tells preachers
not to preach much on sin, repentance, judgment, hell, good sound doctrine,
and the Revelation. It works. Most preachers do not preach on these things any
more, and people love to have it so. Most people sing to and worship a God they
know very little about. Most people do not even bring their Bibles to the house
of God, and they certainly would be too embarrassed to carry a Bible with them
when they go out of the house. Most people would never even think to pray over
their food and give thanks in a public restaurant. It would be too embarrassing.
How subtly and skillfully Satan has deceived people—probably including YOU.

43-SATAN
HAS AUTHORITY FAR BEYOND WHAT MOST PEOPLE REALIZE TO TRY TO STOP GOD’S SERVANTS
(To try to stop you, to persecute you, to tempt you, and much, much more)
Does it sound like Paul or others could just stamp Satan under their feet? Absolutely
not.

1
Thes 3:4-FOR VERILY, WHEN WE WERE WITH YOU, WE TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT WE
SHOULD SUFFER TRIBULATION; EVEN AS IT CAME TO PASS, AND YE KNOW.
Acts 14:22-CONFIRMING THE SOULS OF THE DISCIPLES, AND EXHORTING
THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, AND THAT WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION
ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

(THE CHRISTIAN’S
ATTITUDE WHEN GOING THROUGH MANY PROBLEMS SHOULD BE THIS)

1
Thes 3:3-THAT NO MAN SHOULD BE MOVED BY THESE AFFLICTIONS: FOR
YOURSELVES KNOW THAT WE ARE APPOINTED THEREUNTO.
Acts 20:24-BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME,
NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH
JOY, AND THE MINISTRY, WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE
GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

(SATAN
IS MORE CRAFTY (crafty, or cunning, or deceitful) THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD)

Gen
3:1-NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTIL THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD.

(SATAN
HAS MANY DEVICES TO USE AGAINST YOU)

2 Cor
2:11-FOR WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES. Eph 6:11-THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.

(SATAN
CAN TEMPT YOU IN MANY WAYS)

1
Thes 3:5-THE TEMPTER HAVE TEMPTED
YOU.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO THINK HIS MINISTERS ARE REALLY GOD’S MINISTERS)

2
Cor 11:13-15-FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKERS,
TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN
HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING
IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS;
WHOSE END SHALL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.
Lk 11:44-WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES!
FOR YE ARE AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT, AND THE MEN…ARE
NOT AWARE OF THEM.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO THINK
THE THOUGHTS HE PUTS IN THEIR MIND ARE FROM GOD)

2
Cor 11:14-AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN
HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.

(SATAN
CAN GIVE POWER TO PEOPLE TO DO SIGNS AND WONDERS)

Mk
13:22-FOR FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE, AND SHALL SHEW SIGNS
AND WONDERS.2 Thes 2:9-WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS
AND LYING WONDERS (Satan can enable people to have power and do miracles).

Mt
4:5-6 THEN THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND SETTETH HIM ON A
PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE, AND SAITH UNTO HIM, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, CAST
THYSELF DOWN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE
CONCERNING THEE: AND IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY TIME
THOU DASH THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE.

(SATAN CAN TEMPT YOU AND TRY TO CAUSE YOU TO GO ASTRAY THROUGH)
PHILOSOPHY
VAIN DECEIT
TRADITIONS OF MENRUDIMENTS
OF THE WORLD PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE
RICHES OF THIS WORLD
LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS
LOVE THIS PRESENT WORLDCARES
OF THIS LIFE

Col
2:8-BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN
DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS
(or basic principles) OF THE WORLD.Lk 8:14-AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH,
WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH PLEASURES OF THIS
LIFE, AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION.
Lk 8:14-AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH,
WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH…RICHES OF THIS LIFE,
AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION.
1 Tim 6:10-THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF
ALL EVIL: WHICH WHILE SOME COVETED AFTER, THEY HAVE ERRED FROM THE FAITH.
Mk 4:19-AND THE LUSTS OF OTHER THINGS ENTERING
IN, CHOKE THE WORD, AND IT BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL.
Lk 8:14-AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH,
WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH CARES…OF THIS LIFE,
AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION.
2 Tim 4:10-FOR DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME, HAVING LOVED
THIS PRESENT WORLD.

(SATAN
CAN TEMPT YOU AND TRY TO CAUSE YOU TO GO ASTRAY THROUGH DECEPTION OR
BY GIVING YOU WHATEVER YOU WANT)

Mk
13:22-TO SEDUCE, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT.
Mt 4:8-9-AGAIN, THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM UP INTO AN EXCEEDING
HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHEWETH HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD, AND THE GLORY
OF THEM; AND SAITH UNTO HIM, ALL THESE THINGS WILL I GIVE THEE,
IF THOU WILT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP ME.
1 Thes 3:5-THE TEMPTER HAVE TEMPTED YOU, AND
OUR LABOUR BE IN VAIN.

Mt
5:10-11-BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE
(and) WHEN MEN…REVILE YOU,… PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL
SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY.
Mk 7:2-THEY FOUND FAULT.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ACCUSE YOU OF BEING A CULT LEADER)

Acts
24:5-FOR WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN…A RINGLEADER
OF THE SECT OF THE NAZARENES.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ACCUSE YOU OF DISTURBING
THE PEACE OR TROUBLING PEOPLE)

Acts
16:20-THESE MEN…DO EXCEEDINGLY TROUBLE OUR CITY.Acts 17:6-THESE THAT HAVE TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE
DOWN.Acts 17:8-AND THEY TROUBLED THE PEOPLE AND
THE RULERS OF THE CITY.
Acts 24:5-FOR WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN A PESTILENT FELLOW,
AND A MOVER OF SEDITION AMONG ALL THE JEWS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ACCUSE YOU OF BREAKING THE LAW)

Acts
17:7-AND THESE ALL DO CONTRARY
TO THE DECREES OF CAESAR.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ACCUSE YOU OF THINGS
THAT THEY BELIEVE ARE TRUE, BUT ARE REALLY LIES)

Acts
21:28-CRYING OUT, MEN OF ISRAEL, HELP: THIS IS THE MAN, THAT TEACHETH
ALL MEN EVERY WHERE AGAINST THE PEOPLE, AND THE LAW, AND THIS
PLACE: AND FURTHER BROUGHT GREEKS ALSO INTO THE TEMPLE,
AND HATH POLLUTED THIS HOLY
PLACE.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO ACCUSE YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO)

Lk
7:33-34-FOR JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME NEITHER EATING BREAD NOR DRINKING WINE; AND
YE SAY, HE HATH A DEVIL. THE SON OF MAN IS COME EATING AND DRINKING;
AND YE SAY, BEHOLD A GLUTTONOUS MAN, AND A WINEBIBBER, A FRIEND OF PUBLICANS
AND SINNERS!

Acts
5:40-THEY…CALLED THE APOSTLES, AND (beat) THEM.Acts 16:23-AND WHEN THEY HAD LAID MANY STRIPES UPON THEM.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE FILLED WITH INDIGNATION)

Acts
5:17-THEY…WERE FILLED WITH INDIGNATION.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE FILLED WITH ENVY [or jealousy])

Acts
13:45-BUT WHEN THE JEWS SAW THE MULTITUDES, THEY WERE FILLED
WITH ENVY (or jealousy).

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE GRIEVED OVER YOU TEACHING JESUS)

Acts
4:2-BEING GRIEVED THAT THEY TAUGHT JESUS.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE PUT IN PRISON)

Acts
8:3-HE…HALING MEN AND WOMEN COMMITTED THEM TO PRISON.Acts 12:4-HE PUT HIM (Peter) IN PRISON.Acts 16:23-THEY CAST THEM INTO PRISON.Acts 5:18-PUT THEM IN THE COMMON PRISON.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE PUT IN PRISON BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS)

Acts
4:1-3-THE SADDUCEES…BEING GRIEVED THAT THEY TAUGHT…THE RESURRECTION
FROM THE DEAD…THEY LAID HANDS ON THEM, AND PUT
THEM IN HOLD.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE STIRRED UP AGAINST YOU)

Acts
6:12-AND THEY STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE.Acts 13:50-BUT THE JEWS STIRRED
UP THE DEVOUT AND HONOURABLE WOMEN, AND THE CHIEF MEN OF THE CITY.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BRING YOU TO COURT)

Acts
6:12-AND THEY CAUGHT HIM, AND BROUGHT HIM TO THE COUNCIL.Acts 16:20-AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE MAGISTRATES.Acts 18:12-PAUL,…BROUGHT HIM TO THE JUDGMENT
SEAT.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BRING SUFFERING UPON YOU)

1
Thes 2:14-15-FOR YE ALSO HAVE SUFFERED LIKE THINGS OF YOUR OWN
COUNTRYMEN, EVEN AS THEY HAVE OF THE JEWS.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO DESPITEFULLY USE YOU)

Acts
14:5-THERE WAS AN ASSAULT…TO USE THEM DESPITEFULLY.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO GIVE YOU STRONG OPPOSITION)

1
Thes 2:2-WE…DARED TO TELL YOU HIS GOSPEL IN SPITE OF STRONG OPPOSITION
-NIV.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO MAKE FUN OF YOU)

Acts
17:18-WHAT WILL THIS BABBLER SAY?

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO MAKE WAR AGAINST YOU)

Rev
13:7-AND IT WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM TO MAKE
WAR WITH THE SAINTS.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO PERSECUTE YOU)

Acts
13:50-RAISED PERSECUTION AGAINST PAUL AND BARNABAS.
Gal 1:23,24-HE…PERSECUTED US.
Gal 4:29-BUT AS THEN HE THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE FLESH PERSECUTED
HIM THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, EVEN SO IT IS NOW.
1 Thes 2:15 WHO…HAVE PERSECUTED US; AND THEY
PLEASE NOT GOD, AND ARE CONTRARY TO ALL MEN.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO SPEAK AGAINST WHAT YOU SAY
WHEN YOU ARE ADDRESSING A CROWD)

Acts
19:9-SPAKE EVIL OF THAT WAY BEFORE THE MULTITUDE.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO TRY TO TERRIFY YOU)

Phili
1:28-AND IN NOTHING TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO THROW YOU OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITY)

Acts
13:50-EXPELLED THEM OUT OF THEIR COASTS.
Acts 14:6-THEY…FLED UNTO…CITIES OF LYCAONIA.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO TREAT YOU SHAMEFULLY)

1
Thes 2:2-WE…WERE SHAMEFULLY
ENTREATED (or insulted).

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO TROUBLE YOU)

Gal
1:7-THERE BE SOME THAT TROUBLE
YOU.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE RICH MEN TO OPPRESS YOU)

Ja
2:6-DO NOT RICH MEN OPPRESS YOU ?

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE RICH PEOPLE TO TAKE YOU TO COURT)

Ja
2:6-DO NOT RICH MEN…DRAW YOU BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEATS (or
dragging you into court)?

2
Cor 11:3-(Satan) (Corrupt your minds) FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT
IS IN CHRIST.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE’S EMOTIONS TO RAGE)

Acts
4:25-THE HEATHEN RAGE.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE A PERSON’S THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS [fiery darts]
TO OVERWHELM THEM)

Eph
6:16-THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE TAKEN CAPTIVE AT HIS WILL)

2
Tim 2:26-WHO ARE TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM (the devil) AT HIS WILL.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE SIFTED AS WHEAT)

Lk
22:31-SATAN HATH DESIRED TO HAVE YOU, THAT HE MAY SIFT
YOU AS WHEAT.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO IMAGINE VAIN THINGS)

Acts
4:25-THE PEOPLE IMAGINE VAIN THINGS?

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO HAVE EVIL THOUGHTS AGAINST YOU)

Acts
14:2-THE UNBELIEVING…MADE THEIR MINDS EVIL AFFECTED AGAINST THE
BRETHREN.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO DOUBT GOD’S WORD MEANS WHAT IT SAYS)

Gen
3:1-NOW THE SERPENT…SAID…YEA, HATH GOD SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT
OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE GOD’S WORD IS A LIE)

Gen
3:4-AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE.Gen 3:5-FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT
THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS,
KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE NOT TO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL)

Jn
8:44-45-HE SPEAKETH A LIE,…YE BELIEVE ME NOT (Satan lies
to people's mind and causes them to not believe God’s Word).

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO HAVE WRONG THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD)

Jn
7:27-HOWBEIT WE KNOW THIS MAN WHENCE HE IS: BUT WHEN CHRIST COMETH, NO
MAN KNOWETH WHENCE HE IS.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THEY CAN BE THEIR OWN GOD, THEY DO NOT NEED GOD,AND THAT THEY
CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG WITHOUT GOD)

Gen
3:5-FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE
OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.Pv 12:15-THE WAY OF A FOOL IS RIGHT IN
HIS OWN EYES: BUT HE THAT HEARKENETH UNTO COUNSEL IS WISE.
Pv 16:2-ALL THE WAYS OF A MAN ARE CLEAN IN HIS OWN
EYES; BUT THE LORD WEIGHETH THE SPIRITS.
Pv 21:2-EVERY WAY OF A MAN IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES:
BUT THE LORD PONDERETH THE HEARTS.
Pv 30:12-THERE IS A GENERATION THAT ARE PURE IN THEIR
OWN EYES, AND YET IS
NOT WASHED FROM THEIR FILTHINESS.

G-AGAINST
GOD (SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO MOCK WHAT GOD DOES OR HIS WORD)

Acts
2:13-OTHERS MOCKING.Acts 2:4,13-(They spake with other tongues) OTHERS
MOCKING SAID, THESE MEN ARE FULL OF NEW WINE.

Acts
8:3-SAUL…MADE HAVOCK OF THE CHURCH.Acts 12:1-HEROD THE KING STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS
TO VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH.
Gal 1:13-I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD, AND
WASTED IT.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE DIVISIONS IN DOCTRINE BETWEEN THE BELIEVERS)

Acts
15:1,2-AND CERTAIN MEN WHICH CAME DOWN FROM JUDAEA TAUGHT THE BRETHREN, AND
SAID, EXCEPT YE BE CIRCUMCISED AFTER THE MANNER OF MOSES, YE CANNOT BE SAVED.
WHEN THEREFORE PAUL AND BARNABAS HAD NO SMALL DISSENSION AND DISPUTATION
WITH THEM, THEY DETERMINED THAT PAUL AND BARNABAS, AND CERTAIN OTHER
OF THEM, SHOULD GO UP TO JERUSALEM UNTO THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS ABOUT THIS QUESTION.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO MOVE INTO THE CHURCH OR MINISTRY TO CAUSE DIVISIONS)

Acts
20:29-FOR I KNOW THIS, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTING SHALL GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN
AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK.Acts 20:29,30-FOR I KNOW…OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN
ARISE, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW
AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM.

2
Thes 2:4-WHO OPPOSETH AND EXALTETH HIMSELF ABOVE ALL THAT IS CALLED GOD, OR
THAT IS WORSHIPPED; SO THAT HE AS GOD SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, SHEWING
HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD (Satan wants to be God).

Jn
10:10-THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY.
Jn 8:44-45-THE DEVIL,…WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING.
Jn 8:44-THE DEVIL,…IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT.
Jn 8:44-THE LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER YE WILL DO.
Acts 5:3-SATAN FILLED THINE HEART TO LIE TO THE HOLY GHOST.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO TEMPT OTHERS TO SIN)

Gen
3:6-AND WHEN THE WOMAN…GAVE ALSO UNTO HER HUSBANDWITH HER;
AND HE DID EAT.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO SIN)

1
Chr 21:1-AND SATAN STOOD UP AGAINST ISRAEL, AND PROVOKED
DAVID TO NUMBER ISRAEL.

(SATAN
CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE UNREASONABLE AND WICKED)

2
Thes 3:2-AND THAT WE MAY BE DELIVERED FROM UNREASONABLE AND WICKED MEN:
FOR ALL MEN HAVE NOT FAITH.

Eph
6:12-WE WRESTLE…AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF
THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.

(THOSE
THAT TERRIFY YOU—IT IS A SIGN TO THEM THEY WILL GO TO HELL)

Phili
1:28-WITHOUT BEING FRIGHTENED IN ANY WAY BY THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOU. THIS IS A
SIGN TO THEM THAT THEY WILL BE DESTROYED, BUT THAT YOU WILL BE SAVED-- AND THAT
BY GOD-NIV.

44-THE
FALSE AUTHORITY OF A CHURCH VERSUS THE AUTHORITY OF GOD

Many
churches and cults have ungodly traditions and rules that they have exalted
over the commandments of God set forth in the Bible. Some of these traditions
come from unsaved denominational leaders, some from council meetings of the
denomination, and some from other sources. A church does not have authority
to promote their own traditions over God’s Word, yet many do. Jesus spoke out
against these.
Mt 15:3-(Jesus) ANSWERED…WHY DO YE ALSO TRANSGRESS THE
COMMANDMENT OF GOD BY YOUR TRADITION?
Mt 15:6-YE MADE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD OF NONE EFFECT (or
nullify the Word of God) BY YOUR TRADITION.
Mt 15:12-THEN CAME HIS DISCIPLES,…SAID…THE PHARISEES WERE
OFFENDED, AFTER THEY HEARD THIS?
Mt 15:14-(Jesus said) LET THEM ALONE: THEY BE BLIND LEADERS
OF THE BLIND. AND IF THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND, BOTH SHALL FALL INTO THE DITCH.
Mk 7:7-13-HOWBEIT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR
DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. FOR LAYING ASIDE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD,
YE HOLD THE TRADITION OF MEN,…FULL WELL YE REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, THAT
YE MAY KEEP YOUR OWN TRADITION. FOR MOSES SAID, HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER;
AND, WHOSO CURSETH FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE DEATH: BUT YE SAY, IF A
MAN SHALL SAY TO HIS FATHER OR MOTHER, IT IS CORBAN, THAT IS TO SAY, A GIFT,
BY WHATSOEVER THOU MIGHTEST BE PROFITED BY ME; HE SHALL BE FREE. AND YE SUFFER
HIM NO MORE TO DO OUGHT FOR HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER; MAKING THE WORD OF GOD
OF NONE EFFECT THROUGH YOUR TRADITION, WHICH YE HAVE DELIVERED: AND MANY SUCH
LIKE THINGS DO YE.
Col 2:8-BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY
AND VAIN DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD,
AND NOT AFTER CHRIST.
2 Thes 3:6-NOW WE COMMAND YOU, BRETHREN, IN THE NAME OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT YE WITHDRAW YOURSELVES FROM EVERY BROTHER THAT WALKETH
DISORDERLY, AND NOT AFTER THE TRADITION WHICH HE RECEIVED OF US.
To understand some of the ungodly traditions that have crept
into today’s churches, take note of BIBLE PROPHECY—TODAY’S
CHURCH.

45-WHY
DO SO MANY PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND AUTHORITY?

It
is written, Mt 22:29-JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, YE DO ERR, NOT KNOWING
(or it may be said-not understanding) THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER (or authority)
OF GOD.
This is repeated in Mark’s Gospel, as it is written in 12:24-AND
JESUS ANSWERING SAID UNTO THEM, DO YE NOT THEREFORE ERR, BECAUSE YE KNOW NOT
THE SCRIPTURES, NEITHER THE POWER OF GOD?

46-REGARDING
THOSE IN AUTHORITY

Pv
29:2-WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY, THE PEOPLE REJOICE:
BUT WHEN THE WICKED BEARETH RULE, THE PEOPLE MOURN.

47-WHAT
SHOULD A CHRISTIAN’S ATTITUDE BE TOWARD THOSE IN AUTHORITY?

1
Tim 2:1-3-I EXHORT THEREFORE, THAT, FIRST OF ALL, SUPPLICATIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS,
AND GIVING OF THANKS, BE MADE FOR ALL MEN; FOR KINGS, AND FOR ALL THAT ARE IN
AUTHORITY; THAT WE MAY LEAD A QUIET AND PEACEABLE LIFE IN ALL GODLINESS AND
HONESTY. FOR THIS IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR;

48-THE
BOTTOM LINE FOR REJECTING GOD’S AUTHORITY IS THIS

The
bottom line for the rejection of authority outlined in God’s Word is being self-centered,
prideful, stubborn, and rebellious and—Lk 19:27-BUT THOSE MINE ENEMIES, WHICH
WOULD NOT THAT I SHOULD REIGN OVER THEM.

49-OBEY
GOD: SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY

Titus
3:1-PUT THEM IN MIND TO BE SUBJECT TO PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, TO OBEY
MAGISTRATES, TO BE READY TO EVERY GOOD WORK.
How few people understand that, Acts 5:29-WE OUGHT TO OBEY
GOD.
So few people understand that God does not give the Holy
Spirit to the disobedient, but Acts 5:32-TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
So few understand that, Ro 2:8-UNTO THEM THAT ARE CONTENTIOUS,
AND DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH, BUT OBEY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS,
INDIGNATION AND WRATH,
So few people understand that Jesus, Heb 5:9-BECAME THE AUTHOR
OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
It is written, 1 Pe 4:17-18-FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT
MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: AND IF IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, WHAT SHALL THE
END BE OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD? AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS
SCARCELY BE SAVED, WHERE SHALL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?

50-SUMMARY:
UNDERSTAND AUTHORITY AND OBEY GOD’S WORD

The question is asked
in Gal 3:1-O FOOLISH GALATIANS, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU,
THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH…?
Gal 5:7-…WHO DID HINDER YOU THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH?

2 Thes 1:7-8-AND TO YOU
WHO ARE TROUBLED REST WITH US,
WHEN THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS,
IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, AND THATOBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.